India issues advisory for citizens in France amid unrest, curfews

New Delhi: The Indian Embassy in Paris has issued a safety advisory for Indian nationals living in or travelling to France, asking them to remain alert and avoid areas affected by protests and localised curfews.

In its advisory, the embassy urged Indian citizens to stay away from demonstrations, large gatherings and crowded locations, while following instructions issued by French authorities.

“In view of the recent developments and localised curfews imposed in France, please remain vigilant and exercise due caution,” the embassy said in the advisory.

The embassy also advised Indians to monitor local news and official announcements for updates and check for possible disruptions to public transport services in various French cities.

Citizens were asked to consult the French government’s official website and transport advisories issued by Paris transport operator RATP for the latest information. The Indian Embassy in Paris and the Consulate General of India in Marseille have also provided helpline contacts for assistance in emergencies.

The advisory comes amid heightened security measures by French authorities following several days of unrest linked to protests over the rising cost of living and concerns about deteriorating school infrastructure and teacher shortages.

The demonstrations reportedly began in mid-September, when students and teachers in the Paris suburbs raised concerns over overcrowded classrooms, poorly maintained school buildings and a shortage of teachers. The movement subsequently widened, drawing in trade unions and Yellow Vest activists and expanding into a broader campaign over living costs and public services.

In response, the government has announced plans to deploy more than 3,000 substitute teachers to schools facing the most severe shortages and authorised several hundred additional recruitments. However, financial constraints and political divisions have complicated efforts to implement broader reforms.