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Khader said an estimated 600 to 800 pilgrims were stranded in Mecca after travelling to Saudi Arabia on IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express
Muslims walk at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca (Representational image/Reuters)
Karnataka Minister for Minority Welfare, Haj and Wakf UT Khader said the Karnataka State Haj Committee would approach the Supreme Court if flights did not resume within two days to bring back Kannadiga Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia.
Khader said an estimated 600 to 800 pilgrims were stranded in Mecca after travelling to Saudi Arabia on IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express. He said the pilgrims had booked return tickets with these airlines, which were responsible for bringing them back to India.
He said airlines from other countries were operating flights to and from the region, but services by the three airlines had not resumed amid security concerns. The airlines had initially indicated that flights would resume on October 24, but the date was later postponed to October 27, he said.
“If flights do not resume within two days, we will approach the Supreme Court through the Haj Committee,” Khader said.
He added that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had written to the Union Civil Aviation Minister seeking intervention, but no response had been received.
Khader said the Haj Committee would also seek a Supreme Court direction requiring the airlines to compensate the stranded pilgrims for losses incurred due to the disruption.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has sought urgent intervention from the Union government over the situation.
At A Glance
An estimated 600 to 800 Kannadiga Umrah pilgrims are stranded in Mecca due to suspended flights by IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express.
Karnataka Minister UT Khader stated the State Haj Committee will approach the Supreme Court if flights do not resume within two days.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar wrote to Union ministers seeking urgent intervention and assistance for the stranded citizens.
Stranded pilgrims have reportedly exhausted their financial resources and face difficulties affording food, accommodation, and basic necessities.
In a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday, Shivakumar highlighted the difficulties faced by Umrah pilgrims from Karnataka stranded in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
He said the chairman of the Karnataka State Haj Committee and his team had reported that several pilgrims were facing severe hardship due to disruptions in air services. Many had exhausted their financial resources and were struggling to afford basic necessities, including food and accommodation.
According to reports cited in the letter, hotels were asking pilgrims to vacate their rooms, leaving elderly people, women and children particularly vulnerable. Temporary assistance from Indian and Karnataka-based voluntary organisations was insufficient to meet their needs.
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Ask News18An estimated 600 to 800 pilgrims are stranded in Mecca and Medina because flights operated by IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India Express have been delayed or suspended due to security concerns.
Ask News18October 25, 2026, 3:37 pm IST
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