Demands for the establishment of Indian community schools in Makkah have emerged in the wake of the tragic death of an Indian toddler as he was returning home on board a private school bus.

Three-year-old Zayan, who was attending nursery at a private school, fell from the bus while it was still in motion Sunday and was run over by another vehicle. Zayan was buried on Monday.

“My son was returning home on board a bus belonging to a private school,” said Ziaur Rahman, Zayan’s father.

Parents are urging Indian authorities to consider establishing community schools like in other cities, saying they are safer for their children.

Makkah, which is witnessing massive infrastructural and development projects, is home to thousands of Indian expatriates. Yet many are reluctant to move to the holy city due to the lack of schooling facilities, according to community members.

Rahman, who works for a leading construction company at Shumaisy, said that finding schools for children of the Indian community is a major problem.

“I have lost my only son, but hope to guarantee the safety of other children of my community,” he said.

Rahman comes from the Belgaum in India’s Karnataka state.

Mujeeb Pookkoottur, a social worker in Makkah, said: “Plans to establish community schools were made following a fatal road crash in 2004 that killed seven schoolgirls and a teacher on their way to Makkah from Jeddah, but these plans did not materialize.”

Mohammed Mazher, a civil engineer, said many engineering professionals like himself are facing the same dilemma.