Karnataka Rajya Sabha MP Mansoor Ali Khan has stepped up efforts to secure urgent assistance for Indian Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia amid flight disruptions triggered by recent aerial attacks. In separate letters to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, he urged the government to take swift action and ensure the affected pilgrims receive the necessary support, assistance and welfare measures.
In his letter to Jaishankar, Khan highlighted the difficulties faced by the pilgrims amid airport closures and limited airline services. He wrote, “The stranded pilgrims include women, children and the elderly, many of whom have medical conditions requiring urgent care.”
Khan also expressed concern over the challenges encountered by private tour operators, resulting in communication breakdowns with the pilgrims. He stated, “Several Private Tour Operators have exhausted their resources and are in deep distress themselves, leading to a total breakdown in communication with the pilgrims. Consequently, these pilgrims face imminent risks of visa overstays and subsequent legal complications.”
Khan urged Jaishankar to direct the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to coordinate closely with the stranded pilgrims and private tour operators. He called for immediate arrangements for “secure accommodation, food, medical aid, and legal assistance,” facilitation of “early repatriation on humanitarian grounds,” and “appropriate regulatory action against erring Umrah tour operators.”
In a separate letter to Rijiju, Khan requested coordination between the Ministries of Minority Affairs and External Affairs to ensure on-ground support and accountability. He urged the minister to “Direct the concerned division to actively coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the CGI Jeddah to provide immediate on-ground assistance to the pilgrims,” and to “Take strict cognisance of complaints against defaulting private operators and ensure their legal obligations for return travel are strictly enforced.”
Khan also asked Rijiju to “Issue an immediate advisory to State Haj Committees to assist affected families, and consider providing emergency financial assistance from welfare funds for the stranded pilgrims.”
Earlier on the same day, India established an additional control room in Makkah to support its citizens, particularly Umrah travellers, affected by flight disruptions between the Indian subcontinent and Saudi Arabia, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah said.
The transport disruptions have resulted from increased regional tensions following deadly drone and missile strikes targeting civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia by Yemen-based Houthi rebels.