States » SouthPosted at: Oct 24 2026 2:22PM


Karnataka CM seeks Centre’s help for 600 stranded Umrah pilgrims

Bengaluru, Oct 24 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has urged the Centre to arrange special flights, wherever necessary, to facilitate the safe return of over 600 Umrah pilgrims from the state stranded in Saudi Arabia amid flight disruptions and heightened regional tensions.
In a letter to union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Shivakumar sought urgent intervention to coordinate with Saudi authorities, airlines and Indian diplomatic missions to ensure the pilgrims’ safe return from the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
The Chief Minister said the Karnataka State Haj Committee chairman and his team, who recently visited the holy cities, had reported that several pilgrims were facing severe hardship, with many exhausting their financial resources and struggling to arrange food and accommodation.
Reports from the state said the pilgrims had travelled in groups from Bengaluru, Belagavi and Hubballi for Umrah earlier this month. Repeated flight cancellations have left them uncertain about their return, with some reportedly being moved between hotels and lodges without adequate arrangements for food and water.
Some pilgrims have also faced difficulties after their return tickets were cancelled, while efforts to arrange alternative flights reportedly failed to materialise. The uncertainty has added to their financial burden, particularly for those unable to afford fresh tickets and extended accommodation.
The situation is especially difficult for elderly pilgrims, women and children. Some pilgrims have reportedly pooled their remaining resources to help those unable to meet their basic expenses.
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 safety of the stranded pilgrims and facilitate their return.
The state government has activated dedicated helplines through the Karnataka Haj Department and the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) to assist affected pilgrims and their families. Indian diplomatic missions are also coordinating with airlines and tour operators to facilitate their early return.
Parameshwara urged Kannadigas in Saudi Arabia to remain calm, follow safety advisories issued by local authorities and the Indian Embassy, and avoid photographing or sharing videos of security incidents, warning that such actions could violate local laws.
He also advised those planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, particularly for Umrah, to exercise caution and verify flight schedules with airlines and tour operators before proceeding to airports.
The Chief Minister said temporary assistance from Indian and Karnataka-based voluntary organisations had proved insufficient to meet the needs of all the stranded pilgrims.
He urged the Centre to ensure adequate interim assistance until their return and accord the matter the highest priority. The Karnataka government, he said, was ready to extend all necessary cooperation.
The Karnataka Haj Department can be contacted at 9483503132 and 7899707775, while the State Emergency Operations Centre is available on 1070 and 080-22253707.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh can be reached at 966 554412016 and 966 542126784. Its WhatsApp number for messages is 966 536216082.
The Indian Consulate in Jeddah can be contacted at 966 12 2614093 and 966 556122301, with 966 536209704 available for WhatsApp messages. A toll-free number, 8002471234, is also available for calls from within Saudi Arabia.
The latest reports indicate that the number of affected pilgrims is around 600, though the exact number awaiting return may change as flight arrangements are updated.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Karnataka CM seeks Centre’s help for 600 stranded Umrah pilgrims
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