Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene urgently to ensure the safe and early return of over 600 Umrah pilgrims from the state stranded in Saudi Arabia amid the escalating security situation in the Middle East.
In a letter to Jaishankar, Shivakumar said the suspension of return flights to Bengaluru and other parts of India had left the pilgrims stranded in the holy cities of Makkah and Madina, with several facing severe hardship due to disruptions in air services.
“I wish to draw your urgent attention to the difficult circumstances faced by over 600 Umrah pilgrims from Karnataka who are stranded in the holy cities of Makkah and Madina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said in the letter.
The CM said the chairman of the Karnataka State Haj Committee and his team, who had recently visited the holy cities, reported that several pilgrims were struggling to meet their basic needs, including food and accommodation.
“Many have exhausted their financial resources and are struggling to meet basic needs, including food and accommodation. Reports indicate that hotels are asking pilgrims to vacate their rooms, leaving many, including elderly persons, women and children, in a particularly vulnerable situation,” Shivakumar said.
He added that temporary assistance provided by Indian and Karnataka voluntary organisations in the region was insufficient to meet the needs of all those affected.
Highlighting the humanitarian urgency, Shivakumar urged Jaishankar to ensure that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah coordinated with Saudi Arabian authorities, airlines and other relevant agencies to assess the situation and make urgent arrangements for the pilgrims’ safe return.
“I request your immediate intervention to ensure that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah coordinate with the concerned Saudi Arabian authorities, airlines and other relevant agencies to assess the situation and make urgent arrangements for the safe return of the stranded pilgrims,” he said.
The CM urged the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate special flights, wherever necessary, and ensure adequate interim assistance to the stranded pilgrims until their return to India.
“Given the vulnerability of those stranded and the difficulties they are experiencing, I would be grateful if the Ministry could accord the matter the highest priority and initiate the necessary steps without delay,” he said.
Shivakumar assured the union minister that the Karnataka government was ready to extend all necessary cooperation to facilitate the safe and early return of the affected pilgrims.
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said the state government was in constant touch with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to ensure the pilgrims’ safety and provide necessary assistance.
The embassy and consulate were coordinating with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of the affected pilgrims, he said.
The Minority Welfare, Haj and Waqf Department and the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), under the Revenue Department, were coordinating assistance with the Ministry of External Affairs. Dedicated helplines had also been activated through the Haj Department and the SEOC to assist stranded Kannadigas and their families, Parameshwara said in a statement.
“I urge all Kannadigas currently in Saudi Arabia to remain calm, stay vigilant and strictly follow the safety advisories issued by local authorities and the Indian Embassy. In the event of an aerial attack, remain indoors and avoid photographing, recording or sharing videos of security incidents, as this may violate local laws,” he said.
Kannadigas planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, particularly for Umrah, were advised to exercise caution, follow official advisories and verify flight schedules with their airlines and tour operators before heading to the airport, he added.
The government has shared 24-hour emergency helplines for stranded pilgrims and their families. The Karnataka Haj Department can be reached at 9483503132 and 7899707775, while the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) can be contacted at 1070 and 080-22253707.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh can be reached at +966 554412016 and +966 542126784, while its WhatsApp number for messages only is +966 536216082.
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah can be contacted at +966 122614093 and +966 556122301, with +966 536209704 available for WhatsApp messages only. A toll-free number, 8002471234, is also available within Saudi Arabia.