With hundreds of Kannadigs among thousands of Indians reported to be stranded in cities across West Asian countries due to airspace closures, the state government has urged the Center to intervene to ensure flexible rescheduling, provision of adequate flights and free boarding and lodging facilities, among others.
The Karnataka government is sharing details of persons from the state stranded in West Asian countries due to the US-Israeli attack on Iran with the Ministry of External Affairs for further action. While the state government is disseminating information, the decision to evacuate is left to the Centre, officials said.
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh has written to External Affairs Minister Vikram Misri to create a dedicated coordination mechanism with the state government to facilitate information sharing and effective response. She urged him to consider priority evacuation or special repatriation measures and urged him to provide necessary assistance to ensure the safety and welfare of Kannadigas. The Chief Secretary also wrote to Civil Aviation Minister Samir Kumar Sinha to intervene with the airlines.
As airports have been closed, causing concern among family members of those stranded, information about their plight is trickling in from across the state. Among the legislators stranded in Dubai are MLAs AC Srinivas and Nara Bharath Reddy and MLC SL Bhojegowda besides Deputy Chairman Pushpa Amarnath.
About 150 people, most of them who had gone to Iran for religious studies or medical education, from Alipur in Chickballapur were also stranded in different parts of Iran. Incidentally, the Iranian leader visited Alipur in 1981 and inaugurated the hospital before assuming the post of supreme leader.
According to former minister B. Nagendra, 52 people, including 25 women who were on their way to Dubai, were stranded in Dubai after they were denied entry at the airport. He told Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday that 32 of them were from Ballari and 20 persons from Sirugappa and most of them were farmers.
Five people, all natives of Arasikere, who were in Dubai for the award ceremony, were also stranded. A group of five Hakki-Pikki tribes from Angadhihalli in Belur taluk of Hassan who were in Bahrain to sell plant extracts and oil are also affected. In a video message sent by Jamuna, a member of the group, she said there was an airstrike near where they were staying and a person hailing from Mangaluru 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 is constantly growing and that the state government is sharing the list with the Ministry of External Affairs. “Since the internet and mobile services are working, information about notices and phone numbers is being provided. Only when air traffic is allowed can these people be evacuated,” he added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters in Shivamogga that the state government is in touch with the Center to bring Kannadigas stranded in West Asia back home safely. “Currently, flight operations have been suspended due to the conflict. I have told officials to ensure that everyone returns home safely soon after flight operations resume. We are in constant contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Terming the US attack on Iran unnecessary, the chief minister said the US was following “double standards” by advocating peace and also waging war.
Published – 01 March 2026 21:24 IST
