As tensions skyrocket between Iran, Israel, and the US across the Middle East, Congress leader Shakti Singh Gohil sounded the alarm on Sunday for Gujarati expatriates caught in the crossfire. The Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat implored the Centre and state government to launch immediate rescue operations for community members in peril from relentless drone and missile barrages in Gulf nations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Qatar.
In a candid video address, Gohil painted a grim picture of the disruptions: families separated, businesses halted, and daily lives upended by the violence. ‘Our Gujarati brothers and sisters need ironclad protection right now,’ he asserted, pointing to the closure of airspace and cascade of flight cancellations crippling travel routes.
The ripple effects are severe. Passengers bound for Western destinations find themselves marooned at transit points in the Gulf, with rerouted flights leaving them in limbo. Gohil specifically mentioned Umrah pilgrims from Gujarat stranded at Saudi airports, their distress captured in shared videos that have gone viral.
Taking decisive steps, the MP has penned letters to PM Modi and EAM Jaishankar, advocating for comprehensive support. He proposed free return flights for those opting to come back, coupled with embassy-provided lodging and sustenance in the interim.
‘Most countries are already evacuating their nationals—India must follow suit without delay,’ Gohil urged. This crisis highlights the precarious position of India’s Gulf workforce and travelers, calling for a coordinated national response to bring every Gujarati home safely before the situation deteriorates further.