4,000 Indian pilgrims stranded in Makkah and Madinah, says Owaisi

Around 4,000 Indian pilgrims are stranded in Makkah and Madinah following flight cancellations, Asaduddin Owaisi said, calling for urgent government intervention to bring them home.

The AIMIM president said the pilgrims had travelled with IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India but were unable to return after their flights were cancelled.

“DGCA must give these airlines permission to run flights in larger aircraft so that these stranded pilgrims can return to India. If not, at least special flights must be arranged to bring them back,” he wrote in a social media post.

Owaisi also alleged that travel agents had abandoned the pilgrims.

“This needs your urgent intervention. In the meanwhile, necessary support must be provided to the stranded pilgrims,” he said.

His post tagged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, ministers Kiren Rijiju and Ram Mohan Naidu, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

The appeal comes amid Saudi Arabia’s escalating conflict with Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, meaning “Supporters of God”.

Repeated cancellations and service suspensions have left pilgrims uncertain about departure dates, return journeys and alternative bookings.

Air India and Air India Express extended cancellations on Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam routes until October 24. IndiGo also suspended services to those cities and Madinah until October 24.

The earlier October 21 suspension date for Jeddah applied to Akasa Air, rather than IndiGo. Akasa subsequently extended its Riyadh and Jeddah suspensions until October 27.

The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has advised Indian nationals, particularly Umrah pilgrims, to check flight updates and remain in contact with airlines and travel providers.

It has also established a 24-hour control room to assist people affected by cancellations, rescheduling and other travel problems.

Separately, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on October 22 that about 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims had returned on available flights over the preceding week. The ministry said the embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah were working with airlines and tour operators to facilitate further returns.