HAVERI, Karnataka – In a pressing call amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai emphasized the urgent need to bring back Kannada-speaking individuals and other Indians stranded in Iran and other volatile regions. Speaking to the media on March 1, Bommai underscored that coordinating with the central government is a collective duty to ensure their safe return.
The ongoing conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran has cast a long shadow over the region, particularly affecting Kannadigas residing in Dubai and other Gulf hotspots. Bommai advocated for immediate state government intervention, working through the Indian embassy in Dubai to provide temporary food, shelter, and swift evacuation for those trapped.
“This clash is deeply alarming, with ripple effects on India’s economy, especially petroleum supplies,” Bommai warned. He highlighted how global markets could face disruptions, compelling the world to grapple with severe economic fallout. Prioritizing dialogue over escalation, he stressed, remains the wisest path forward.
Many Kannadigas ventured to Doha, Dubai, and Kuwait seeking employment opportunities, only to find themselves ensnared by the unrest. Transit passengers from Europe, routing through these hubs, are also among the stranded. Bommai praised the central government’s proactive measures and recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successful evacuations from Syria and Iraq in the past.
State authorities must shoulder the responsibility, he asserted, arranging essentials like food and accommodation via embassies while fast-tracking repatriation. With a significant Kannadiga population in Dubai facing hardships due to shortages, immediate action is non-negotiable. Bommai’s remarks serve as a rallying cry for unified efforts to safeguard every Indian abroad.