In a disheartening turn of events that has left the Indian community both in the United States and back home in India in deep sorrow, 25-year-old Indian student Mohammad Abdul Arfath was found dead in Cleveland, United States. Arfath, originally from Nacharam, Hyderabad, had been missing since March 7, marking a tragic end to the anxious search led by his family and authorities.
Mohammad Abdul Arfath embarked on his journey to the United States in May to pursue a Master’s degree in Information Technology at Cleveland University. His dreams of higher education and a promising future were tragically cut short, casting a somber light on the safety of Indian students abroad.
The Consulate General of India in New York has expressed profound grief over Arfath’s death and extended condolences to his bereaved family. They assured ongoing cooperation with local authorities in the United States to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to his untimely demise.
The eerie silence that followed Arfath’s last communication with his family on March 7 spurred a collaborative search effort by Indian and U.S. law enforcement. However, the discovery of his death has left his family devastated, dashing the hopes they clung to for his safe return.
Adding to the family’s distress, Arfath’s father, Mohammed Saleem, recounted receiving a chilling phone call from an unidentified person claiming that Arfath had been kidnapped by a drug trafficking ring demanding a ransom for his release. The subsequent threat to harm Arfath further exacerbated the family’s anguish.
In desperation, Saleem reached out to S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, seeking intervention and assistance in navigating this harrowing ordeal. The family’s plea for government support underscores the vulnerability of Indian students abroad and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures.
Arfath’s death follows closely on the heels of another tragedy involving Uma Satya Sai Gadde, another Indian student whose recent death in Ohio is still under investigation. These incidents have raised pressing concerns about the safety and well-being of Indian students in the United States, prompting calls for immediate action from authorities in both countries.
As the Indian community mourns the loss of Mohammad Abdul Arfath and Uma Satya Sai Gadde, there is a growing demand for comprehensive safety protocols and support systems for international students. The repeated tragedies underscore the critical need for vigilant measures to protect students pursuing their academic and professional dreams far from home.
In memory of Mohammad Abdul Arfath, the community stands in solidarity, advocating for a safer environment for all students abroad. The loss of such a young, promising life is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by international students and the imperative for collective efforts to ensure their safety and security.
