AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday urged the Centre to facilitate the return of around 4,000 Indian pilgrims reportedly stranded in Makkah and Madina after airlines suspended flights to Saudi Arabian cities amid the security situation.
Owaisi called for urgent government intervention, asking the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to allow airlines to deploy larger aircraft to bring the stranded pilgrims back to India. Alternatively, he urged the government to arrange special flights for their return.
In a post on X, the Hyderabad MP said the pilgrims had been left without adequate assistance from their travel agents and sought immediate support for those stranded.
“The Indian pilgrims have been abandoned by their travel agents. This needs your urgent intervention; in the meanwhile necessary support must be provided to the stranded pilgrims,” Owaisi said.
Owaisi Seeks Intervention From Union Ministers
Owaisi tagged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in his post, seeking their intervention to resolve the situation.
He urged the aviation authorities to facilitate additional capacity through larger aircraft, which could help airlines accommodate more passengers seeking to return home.
He also suggested that the government arrange special flights if regular airline services could not meet the needs of the stranded pilgrims.
The reported suspension of flights has raised concerns over the difficulties faced by Indian pilgrims in arranging their return journeys, particularly those dependent on organised travel packages.
Pilgrims Await Assistance
According to Owaisi, around 4,000 Indian pilgrims are stranded in the two Saudi Arabian cities. He also alleged that travel agents had abandoned the pilgrims, leaving them in need of urgent assistance.
The appeal comes amid disruptions to air travel linked to the security situation. The suspension of services has complicated travel arrangements for pilgrims who had travelled to Saudi Arabia for religious purposes.
Owaisi’s appeal focused on ensuring immediate support for the stranded Indians and restoring their ability to return home safely.
There was no response from the ministers or aviation authorities included in Owaisi’s appeal in the information available at the time of publication.
