Bangladeshi students studying at Delhi University under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship are required to sign an undertaking stating that they will not engage in political activities or form unions while studying in India. They are also restricted from traveling to sensitive areas within the country. Violation of these conditions may result in scholarship cancellation and deportation, as per university authorities.

Under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme, ICCR provides scholarships to 640 students in various Indian institutions. The undertaking signed by Bangladeshi students states: “I have been awarded an ICCR scholarship for the academic year 2024-25 to study at this institution in India. I pledge not to engage in any political activity, any actions harmful to India’s interests, or activities that could strain India’s relations with other nations. Additionally, I will not visit any border, restricted, protected, or tribal areas. I also acknowledge that violating any of these conditions will result in the cancellation of my scholarship.”

Indian media recently reported this development, triggering mixed reactions among Bangladeshi students in India. Many were hesitant to speak publicly, but one student, under anonymity, stated that while students usually submit such undertakings at the time of application—collected by the Bangladesh High Commission—this year, they were asked to sign it after admission.

Delhi University officials claim that Bangladeshi students receiving ICCR scholarships have always been required to submit such an undertaking, typically collected by the Bangladesh High Commission. However, due to political shifts in Bangladesh last August, some administrative processes were left incomplete, prompting the university to collect the undertakings directly.

Sources indicate that students from other countries studying under ICCR scholarships are not required to sign such an undertaking. For example, a Palestinian student at Delhi University was not asked to sign a similar document. It remains unclear whether the Bangladesh government mandates this undertaking for all students or if it is specifically required for ICCR-funded scholars by Indian authorities.

A source at Delhi University mentioned that, given Bangladesh’s current political climate, the university is closely monitoring whether political divisions among Bangladeshi students—both pro-government and opposition-leaning—are emerging on campus. Such divisions could potentially spread into Indian universities.

According to a university official, there are currently 270 Bangladeshi students enrolled at Delhi University.