The untimely demise of Shaik Muzammil Ahmed, a 25-year-old Indian-origin student studying in Canada, has sparked a wave of efforts to repatriate his body to Hyderabad, India. Ahmed, a resident of Hyderabad and a Master’s student in IT at Conestoga College in Ontario, passed away due to a cardiac arrest, leaving his family devastated.
The news of Ahmed’s sudden demise sent shockwaves through his family and community. Amjad Ullah Khan, a leader from the Telangana-based political party Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT), confirmed the tragic incident and revealed that Ahmed had been suffering from a fever for the past week before succumbing to cardiac arrest.
In a heartfelt plea for assistance, Ahmed’s uncle, Mahammed Amzad, reached out to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, seeking urgent help from the Indian High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulate General of India in Toronto to facilitate the repatriation process. The family’s anguish and desperation to bring Ahmed’s mortal remains back to Hyderabad underscore the depth of their loss and grief.
The letter addressed to Minister Jaishankar implored for swift action, reflecting the family’s profound shock and sorrow. The sudden tragedy has left Ahmed’s parents and relatives reeling, grappling with the unexpected loss of their beloved son and family member.
The incident comes amidst heightened concerns about the safety and well-being of Indian students studying abroad, echoing the recent brutal attack on another Indian student, Syed Mazahir Ali, in Chicago. These incidents serve as sobering reminders of the vulnerabilities faced by Indian students overseas and the imperative for enhanced support and protection measures.
As efforts continue to repatriate Ahmed’s remains and provide solace to his grieving family, the incident underscores the importance of community solidarity and governmental assistance in times of distress. The collective prayers and support extended to Ahmed’s family reflect the deep empathy and solidarity within the Indian diaspora during moments of profound loss and sorrow.
Dhairya Saraswat