Stranded in Saudi: MP Urges Centre to Rescue Indian Umrah Pilgrims
Rajya Sabha MP Mansoor Ali Khan urges the Centre to rescue Indian Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight disruptions.
Amidst escalating regional tensions and severe flight disruptions in Saudi Arabia, Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, Mansoor Ali Khan, has called upon the Indian government to launch an immediate rescue and welfare operation for Indian Umrah pilgrims stranded in the Kingdom.
Urgent Appeals to Union Ministers
In a bid to ensure the safety of Indian citizens, MP Mansoor Ali Khan dispatched separate letters to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju. The MP highlighted the dire situation facing pilgrims who have been left in limbo following aerial attacks that disrupted aviation services in the region.
In his communication to Minister Jaishankar, Khan emphasized that the group of stranded individuals is particularly vulnerable, including women, children, and the elderly. He noted that many of these pilgrims suffer from medical conditions that require urgent professional care, making their current situation critical.
The Crisis of Private Tour Operators
A significant portion of the crisis, according to the MP, stems from the failure of private tour operators. Khan revealed that many of these operators have completely exhausted their resources, leading to a total breakdown in communication with the pilgrims they were supposed to assist.
This lack of support has left pilgrims facing two major threats:
- Immediate Physical Hardship: Lack of guaranteed food, secure accommodation, and medical aid.
- Legal Jeopardy: The imminent risk of visa overstays, which could lead to severe legal complications under Saudi law.
Demands for Immediate Action
MP Mansoor Ali Khan has urged the External Affairs Minister to direct the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Jeddah to take the following steps:
- Establish direct contact with both the stranded pilgrims and the tour operators.
- Arrange for essential supplies, including food and medical assistance.
- Facilitate early repatriation on humanitarian grounds.
- Initiate regulatory action against tour operators who have failed in their duties.
Simultaneously, in his letter to Kiren Rijiju, the MP requested that the Ministry of Minority Affairs coordinate closely with the MEA to ensure on-ground accountability. He further suggested that State Haj Committees be issued advisories to support affected families and proposed the use of welfare funds to provide emergency financial aid to those stranded.
The Root of the Chaos
The transport turmoil in the region is a direct result of heightened tensions across the Gulf. Lethal drone and missile strikes by Yemen-based Houthi rebels, targeting civilian infrastructure within the Kingdom, have led to airport closures and limited airline services, leaving thousands of travelers stuck.
India's Initial Response
In response to the growing crisis, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah has announced the establishment of an additional control room in Makkah. This facility is specifically designed to support Indian citizens, particularly Umrah travelers, who are struggling with the flight disruptions connecting Saudi Arabia and the subcontinent.