As hundreds of Kannadigas are among thousands of Indians reported to be stranded in cities across West Asian countries owing to the closure of airspace, the State government has urged the Centre to intervene to ensure flexible rescheduling, arrangement of adequate flights and complimentary boarding and lodging facilities, among others
The Karnataka government is sharing details of persons from the State who are stranded in the West Asian countries owing to the attack on Iran by the U.S.-Israel with the Ministry of External Affairs for further action. While the State government is disseminating information, the decision on evacuation is left to the Centre, officials said.
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh has written to External Affairs Secretary Vikram Misri to establish a dedicated coordination mechanism with the State government to facilitate information sharing and effective response. Urging him to consider priority evacuation or special repatriation measures, she has urged him to provide the necessary assistance to ensure the safety and well-being of Kannadigas. The Chief Secretary has also written to Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha to intervene with airlines.
As airports have been shut, causing anxiety among the family members of those who have been stranded, information from across the State is trickling in about their travails. Among the legislators stuck in Dubai are MLAs A.C. Srinivas and Nara Bharath Reddy, and MLC S.L. Bhojegowda besides the vice-chairperson of Guarantee Authority Pushpa Amarnath.
About 150 people, most of them who have gone to Iran for religious studies or for medical education, from Alipur in Chickballapur, are also stranded in different parts of Iran. Incidentally, the Iranian Leader had visited Alipur in 1981 and inaugurated a hospital before he took over as the Supreme Leader.
According to former Minister B. Nagendra, 52 persons, including 25 women, who were on tour to Dubai, have been stranded in Dubai after they were denied entry to the airport. He told Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday that 32 of them were from Ballari and 20 persons were from Siruguppa, and most of them were farmers.
Five persons, all natives of Arasikere, who were in Dubai for an award ceremony, have also been stuck. A group of five Hakki-Pikki tribals from Angadhihalli in Belur taluk of Hassan, who were in Bahrain to sell plant extracts and oil, are also struck. In a video message sent by Jamuna, a member of the group, she said that there was an air strike close to where they were staying, and a person hailing from Mangaluru had helped them move to a safe place temporarily.
Meanwhile, Munish Moudgil, Principal Secretary, Revenue Department (Disaster Management, Bhoomi and UPOR), said that the list of callers had been constantly going up, and that the State Government was sharing the list with the Ministry of External Affairs. “Since the internet and mobile services are operational, information is being provided about advisories and phone numbers. Only when the air traffic is allowed then these people can be evacuated,” he added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told presspersons at Shivamogga that the State government is in touch with the Centre to bring back Kannadigas stuck in West Asia safely back home. “At present, flight operations have been stopped due to conflict. I have told the officials to ensure all of them return home safely soon after flight operations are resumed. We are in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs”.
Terming the attack on Iran by the U.S. as unnecessary, the Chief Minister said that the U.S. followed “double standards” by advocating peace and also waging war.
Published – March 01, 2026 09:24 pm IST
