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Along with around 25,000 residents, the city has about 90 percent of the population belonging to the Shia Muslim community – which is also a major community in Iran.
Around 90 Indian students from Jammu and Kashmir returned to India from Iran on June 19 as part of a evacuation campaign for convenience by the Government of India. (Image: PTI)
Amidst increasing tension between Israeli and Iran, and with many Indian citizens still stranded in Iran, a bizarre small town on the outskirts of Bangalore has found itself into consideration. In the middle Many Indian students are currently in Iran There are some from Alipur, just 70 km from Bengaluru in the Gauribadanur constituency of Karnataka.
Alipur’s links with the Middle East are beyond education and faith. The city has a rich gemstone and jewelery business associated with Dubai, Iran and Thailand.
Along with around 25,000 residents, the city has about 90 percent of the population belonging to the Shia Muslim community – which is also a major community in Iran. “Most of the people in Alipur deal with precious gems and jewelery. Many people have business in the Middle East, especially in Iran. So connection is deep-economic and spiritual. Iran is also a place for high studies when it comes to Islamic studies and theology-only for Indians, but also at globally, at world levels.
Historically, the city’s Shia heritage runs deep. In the 18th century, Alipur was known as Beliganta and was mainly settled by Shia Muslims. It was later renamed as Alipur – with “Ali” referring to Imam Ali and “Pur” meaning “city”. The name, which translates into the “Ali of the city”, reflects the religious and cultural roots of the city within the Shia tradition. Iran’s spiritual influence has also been marked on its streets – the main road in Alipur is Imam Khomeini Road, which is in memory of the Iranian Supreme Leader’s visit to Alipur during his visit to India in 1981.
Whoever separates Alipur is its specific self-governance. The city does not have a police station within its limits. Instead, an supreme body called Anjuman-e-Jafriya resolves issues according to the sub-laws established by the patron of Alipur in 1930. This 30-member body serves as the supreme right to solve community issues-from family disputes and marriage problems to financial matters.
News18 president Mir Ali Abbas said, “Of the 100, we solve 99 issues within the Anjuman-e-Zafriya.
The council selected every two years includes a chairman and secretary along with members handling various departments in the city.
Its sub-laws are based on both respected Islamic scholars and poet-Islamic principles and Indian Constitution written by late Mir Muthak Ali, and continue to guide the functioning of Alipur till date.
A senior Alipur leader said, “Even though the police complaint is filed at the neighboring station, the Anjuman-e-Jaffrya is asked whether he would like to cover the issue.”
Along with Shia Muslims, Alipur also has a population of Hindus, Christians and small Muslim sects, all of which live peacefully and “are bound by mutual respect for each other’s religious beliefs,” said a local leader.
Alipur students in Iran
Many families, scholars, and Alipur students regularly travel to Iran for Islamic psychological studies in cities such as QOM and Mashhad, while others enroll in medical universities of its top order. Iran’s Medical College – Shahid Beheshti University, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Tums), and Ark University of Medical Sciences are among the top 400 in the world, making them an attractive destination for Indian students.
“A course in MBBS costs anywhere between $ 4,000 to $ 6,000 as compared to other countries. If a student scores above 80-90 percent in his 12th exams, they can meet in a top Tehran University at a cheaper price. That is why we see a large number of students in these universities.
One such student is Syed Mohammad Takim, the son of the owner of a fancy store in Alipur. Her father, Mir Raza Aga told News18 that her son, who is studying at Tehran Institute of Medical Sciences, was one of the about 500 students who went to QOM for security after the shelling started.
Agga said, “My son wants to become a pediatrician. He will be the first doctor of our family. I run a small fancy store in Alipur and did not have much money. I somehow managed to send him to him to complete his medicine,” hearing that his son flew to return to India.
He said, “When he comes back, we will take a call if he wants to continue his studies. He wrote five exams and was another ten before returning to India for holidays in July. My son went there to pursue his passion to become a doctor two years ago,” he said.
Aga is one of 19 families in Alipur, whose children are studying drugs in Iranian universities.
Indian authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and state officials in Karnataka and working to ensure the safe return of students.
BJP MP from Chikkabalpur, Ki Sudhakar told News18 that he is in constant touch with Mea and Embassy to ensure the safety of students.
“I will personally talk to the students on a phone call, once they are available to connect. Network connectivity is very packed and we can still take them to a place where they can be brought back home safely. Our Indian government has already been successful in bringing people back to such efforts, and we know that it will be again to bring back the security.”
Syed Hakim Raza said, “The Indian embassy has been in touch and many of them have helped to move from Tehran to Cum and Mashhad, and will safely bring them back through Turkmenistan or Armenia.”
Another parents of a young student who did not wish not to be a name, said that his daughter left in 2024 to study dentistry with 12 others. The father of the medical student said, “We are receiving regular updates and communication on our child’s safe route. The Indian Embassy has been very helpful and the NRI cell from the Congress government also came in contact with us to help track their movements. We hope that they will come back home safely and soon,” the medical student’s father said.
Islamic religious studies remain a major draw for the students of Alipur. About 50 students are pursuing religious education in QOM. More than 30 families of the city are also involved in commercial activities in Tehran, QOM and Mashhad.
“In India, Islamic studies are basic. Many people proceed to learn in Ismaili theology in Iran,” the residents of Alipur explained.
Mannan Raza, a businessman who has recently shifted from Tehran to QOM, told News18 that when he plans to live, he is helping to facilitate the safe transfer of students back to India. He said, “We are trying with embassy officials to take students to safe places. Life is normal in areas like QOM and Mashhad. There is no shelling,” he said.
A young student chasing MBBS at Goleston University of Medical Sciences in Gorgan, Iran said that tension in the region is motivating him to return home. “We were about to return home in July. Now we are only waiting for Indian authorities to give us directions and take us home,” he said while requesting oblivion.
Now, as the students wait for the house to be brought home and the family prays for their safe return, this quiet village stops its breath – between its historical relationships and hopes for peace and secure route.
“We all want ceasefire and peace there. We want to return and complete our education,” a young MBBS student said that those who are being transferred to Mashhad and went towards Armenia, to safely back to their family in India.
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor in News18, has a journalist for almost two decades in television and digital space. She covers South India for the digital platform of News18. He has previously worked with T …Read more
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor in News18, has a journalist for almost two decades in television and digital space. She covers South India for the digital platform of News18. He has previously worked with T … Read more
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