Bengaluru, October 23 Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday met Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to immediately intervene to ensure the safe and early return of over 600 Umrah pilgrims from Karnataka stranded in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. It has become necessary to take this step amid the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
S. In a letter to Jaishankar, DK Shivakumar said the suspension of return flights to Bengaluru and other parts of India has put pilgrims in a difficult situation. Many people are facing a lot of problems due to disruption in air services.
He said that the Karnataka State Haj Committee Chairman and his team, who recently returned from visiting these holy cities, have also informed that many pilgrims are facing serious difficulties. Many people have run out of money and are struggling to meet even basic needs like food and shelter.
He said there are reports that hotel managements are asking pilgrims to vacate their rooms. Due to this, many people including the elderly, women and children have been put in a very delicate and difficult situation.
D.K. Shivakumar said that the temporary assistance provided by Indian and Karnataka voluntary organizations in the region is inadequate to meet the needs of the affected people.
Considering the seriousness of the matter on humanitarian grounds, the Chief Minister urged the External Affairs Minister to issue instructions to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Indian Consulate in Jeddah. He said that these embassies should work with Saudi Arabian authorities, airlines and other concerned agencies to take stock of the situation and make immediate arrangements for the safe return of the pilgrims stranded there.
He also requested the Ministry of External Affairs to arrange special flights where necessary and provide all possible help to the pilgrims till they return to India.
Considering the critical condition of the people stranded there and their problems, Shivkumar urged the Ministry to give top priority to this matter and take necessary steps without any delay.
He said that the Karnataka government is ready to provide all assistance to ensure the safe and early return of the affected pilgrims.
