Karnataka Students in Conflict Zones Safe, Repatriations Underway: CM Siddaramaiah
- Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah confirms all students stranded in Israel and Iran are safe and being cared for.
- Airports expected to reopen in a day or two; government ready to bring students back immediately.
- Karnataka NRI Forum and Union Minister Kumaraswamy coordinate with MEA to ensure swift repatriation.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured that students from the state who are currently stranded in Israel and Iran are safe and will be repatriated soon. The Chief Minister confirmed that the state government is actively coordinating with the Centre to facilitate their safe return.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, CM Siddaramaiah stated, “I spoke to the concerned persons about this in the morning. The airports there are currently shut down. In one or two days, the airports might open, and immediately, the students will be brought back to the state”. He emphasized that the safety and well-being of all Kannadigas abroad is a top priority for the state administration.
According to the state government, the students are being well taken care of by the authorities in both countries. “All of them are safe and are being well taken care of. We will try to bring them back sooner”, Siddaramaiah said.
The Karnataka government had written to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday, requesting urgent intervention for the safe return of students from Iran. The move comes in response to concerns raised by the families of nine students studying at Shahid Beheshti Medical University, located near Tehran, Iran’s capital.
H.S. Satish, Special Officer attached to the Deputy Chairman of the NRI Forum of Karnataka, confirmed that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has caused widespread concern among Indian students and their families. One student, Nadeem Hussain, along with his parents, reached out to the Forum expressing anxiety about the situation and requested immediate repatriation.
Responding promptly, Arti Krishna, Deputy Chairman of the NRI Forum of Karnataka, wrote to the MEA appealing for the return of all nine students from Iran. “The letter was sent immediately to ensure that these students are brought back safely at the earliest opportunity”, Satish stated.
In a parallel development, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, held a video call with several Kannadigas stranded in Israel. During the interaction, he assured them of the Indian government’s full support and stated he would take up the issue with the MEA for swift action.
The Minister, speaking from his official residence on Sunday evening, inquired about their safety and conveyed the Centre's commitment to their welfare. The stranded students informed him that they are safe and receiving adequate assistance from Indian Embassy officials in Israel. “We are being well taken care of”, the students told the Minister, expressing their gratitude.
Reaffirming the Centre’s dedication, Kumaraswamy said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India is doing everything it can to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian citizens abroad”.
Efforts are underway to monitor the situation and expedite the students' return once flight operations resume.
