Karnataka MLAs, SEC among hundreds of Kannadigas stranded in Gulf as Middle East tensions ground flights

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• Karnataka asks MEA to help return Kannadigas stranded in Gulf
• Iran's strikes disrupt flights, stranding many in Dubai
• State opens emergency centers, advises contacting embassies

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The Karnataka government has approached the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to help bring back Kannadigas stranded in Gulf countries following escalating tensions between Iran and Israel-United States. The crisis intensified after Iran launched retaliatory strikes following the killing of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Sunday.

From Ballari and Chitradurga to Mangaluru and Mysuru, hundreds of tourists and expatriates from Karnataka are stuck as air travel has been severely disrupted. Missile attacks allegedly hit areas near Dubai airport, forcing flight operations to be suspended and leaving thousands stranded.

Among those stuck in Dubai are Congress MLAs Na Ra Bharath Reddy and SR Srinivas, and JD(S) MLC SL Bhojegowda. Bhojegowda shared a video from Dubai airport, saying he was travelling from Johannesburg to India via Dubai when flights were grounded due to air strikes.

State Election Commissioner SG Sangreshi and Pushpa Amarnath, vice-chairperson of the Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee, are also unable to return.

“The situation here is under control. I was scheduled to fly to Bengaluru on Sunday. However, because of the prevailing circumstances, it was cancelled. So I'm still in Dubai,” Sangreshi was quoted by TOI as saying. He added that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has spoken to them and assured full support.

As of Sunday night, 84 Kannadigas were stranded in the UAE, mostly in Dubai, and eight in Bahrain. Those stranded in the UAE include people from Ballari, Bengaluru, Davangere, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Raichur, Shivamogga, Udupi, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Chikkaballapur and Tumakuru. In Bahrain, those stranded are from Hassan, Udupi and Kodagu.

Around 50 pilgrims from Bengaluru who travelled to Medina in Saudi Arabia are among those stranded. The group, which includes women, toddlers and elderly people, was scheduled to return to India at 2am on March 2. However, their flight was cancelled, leaving them stuck and struggling to manage accommodation and expenses.

CM Siddaramaiah promises action

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on social media that he has spoken to several stranded Kannadigas, including Bhojegowda, and directed the chief secretary to coordinate with the MEA to ensure their safe return.

“It is quite comforting to understand that Kannadigas have taken shelter in safe places; there is no need to be anxious about their return. The govt is taking the responsibility of bringing them back safely,” he stated.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the government is also coordinating with Kannada associations in Gulf countries to support stranded tourists and check on their well-being.

The state has activated its State Emergency Operation Centres (SEOC) and District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOC), which will function round the clock. These centres will share advisories and provide assistance where needed. Citizens have been asked to contact Indian embassies and consulates and use official portals like Sarthi Sahayata for help.

Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh has written to MEA Secretary Vikrant Misri and Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, seeking assistance for stranded passengers, including flexible ticket rescheduling and additional flights.

Tourists running out of money

Some tourists have informed relatives through video calls that they had exhausted their travel funds. With hotel rooms costing between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 per person per night, many could not afford accommodation and were staying outside the airport.

Abdul Mannan, 48, a signboard maker, said the trip has already exhausted most of his family’s savings. “This is my first visit to Medina with my family. We spent about Rs 80,000 per person and already used most of our savings. With hotel rooms at around Rs 1,500 per day and food costing 60 Riyals (Rs 1,456), many in the group are struggling,” Mannan was quoted by TOI as saying.

After learning about their situation, Bharath Reddy and Ballari Rural MLA B Nagendra arranged temporary accommodation for them in service quarters near the airport. The group, comprising 23 women and 27 men, is currently safe, Nagendra said. One air strike allegedly occurred near Reddy’s hotel, causing brief concern, but all were unharmed, TOI reported.

The crisis has also affected expatriates trying to return to Gulf countries. Many passengers in Karnataka are unable to travel due to route restrictions and flight cancellations. M Mohandas Kamath, who was scheduled to travel from Mangaluru to Kuwait, said the situation in Kuwait is tense, with reports of supermarkets running low on supplies and schools shutting temporarily.

At Mangaluru International Airport, several flights to Jeddah, Muscat, Dubai, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi were cancelled on Sunday.