As the US-Israel-Iran confrontation intensifies, BJP MP and ex-Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai has demanded coordinated action to rescue Kannada-speaking residents and fellow Indians from Middle East turmoil. In Haveri on March 1, he told reporters that it’s everyone’s moral obligation to collaborate with New Delhi for their protection.
Bommai pointed to the precarious situation in Dubai, urging the state to liaise with Indian diplomatic missions for emergency provisions of meals and housing. Expedited return flights are essential, he said, given the conflict’s potential to cripple oil flows and jolt economies worldwide.
The former leader expressed grave concerns over the broader implications, noting that petroleum disruptions could hammer India’s growth trajectory. He called for diplomatic negotiations to de-escalate, preventing further chaos that has already trapped workers from Karnataka in Qatar, UAE, and beyond.
Recounting past successes under PM Modi during Syrian and Iraqi crises, Bommai affirmed the center’s readiness. Yet, he insisted the Karnataka government lead on-ground efforts, especially for the large Kannadiga diaspora in Dubai battling food and fund shortages.
This isn’t just policy—it’s a humanitarian imperative. Bommai’s forthright stance highlights the human cost of geopolitical strife, pushing for swift, empathetic responses to bring our people home safely before the situation worsens.