Family members of Ravi Teja, who was killed in a shooting incident in Washington DC, mourns his death in Hyderabad, on January 20, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

A 26-year-old student from Hyderabad has been shot dead in Washington, United States. The victim, identified as K. Ravi Teja, hailed from R.K. Puram in the Chaitanyapuri. He had travelled to the U.S. in 2022 to pursue a Master’s degree and had recently completed his studies.

Teja reportedly died on the spot. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear and are currently under investigation.

The North American Association of Indian Students addressed the tragedy on X, stating, “Hours before the inauguration, Ravi Teja, a 26-year-old student from Hyderabad, India, was tragically shot and killed in Washington, DC. He moved to the U.S. in 2022 to pursue his MBA. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are currently under investigation.”

The incident has sparked criticism from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), which blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for failing to ensure the safety of Indian students abroad.

In a post on X, the Congress-backed NSUI questioned the Ministry of External Affairs’ silence on the issue, saying, “Why is the Ministry of External Affairs silent? What action has been taken to safeguard Indian students abroad?”

The NSUI further accused the government of neglecting the welfare of Indian students pursuing opportunities overseas.

“Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the dreams of Indian students are turning into nightmares. The government’s apathy continues to endanger those who leave their homeland for better education and opportunities. NSUI demands answers and action to protect our students studying abroad!” the organisation wrote.