Unrest in France: Indian Embassy Issues Urgent Safety Advisory Amid Massive Economic and Student Riots

France is facing one of its most serious episodes of unrest of the year as riots explode across major cities due to economic and educational crisis. Student protests over depreciating schooling conditions and lack of staff and teachers have widened into demands to take action against the increasing inflation and living cost. 

The protests began in late September when high school students staged blockades and protested the severe lack of teaching staff. They also claimed replacement staff were in dire shortage as well as a concerning lack of maintenance in school buildings, including deteriorating conditions of the buildings themselves and a lack of heating or air conditioning infrastructure leading to extreme temperatures.

In early October, the wider public joined the protests grieving the concerning increase in inflation, which rose from 2.4% in August to 3.1% in September, and on October 17th, violent protests took place which have been attributed to far-left radicals, criminal elements and organized troublemakers. 

Nearly 3000 shops were affected in these riots as arson and looting broke out, leading to upwards of 2400 arrests. In major cities like Paris, Marseille and Limoges, police clashes were witnessed. Overnight curfews were imposed in parts of Paris and Nice.

President Macron’s minority government has faced intense pressure to rein in national debt and public spending ahead of crucial budget votes. Public perception is mostly that social services are being neglected. Macron went on record accusing foreign leaders of using the riots in France to their own political gain. He did not explicitly mention any names but it came in timely to the statement made by the Netanyahu government in Israel who faces parliamentary elections next week, and US President Donald Trump, who faces mid term polls falling next month

The Indian Embassy in Paris issued a safety advisory to those residing in and travelling to France, warning caution and vigilance towards the riots and to pay heed to the curfew. They also mentioned in the advisory to avoid large gatherings and crowded places. Indian Netizens were also noted comparing the riots in France to the situation in India with the ongoing protests.