Naveen Demands Immediate Rescue of Odias Stranded in Middle East amid Escalating Conflict

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday sharply criticised the Odisha government for its lack of urgency in rescuing thousands of Odia citizens stranded in West Asian countries due to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war.

Expressing deep concern for the affected persons from migrant labourers and professionals to students, tourists, and travellers, LoP Naveen highlighted the fear and anxiety gripping them and their families back in Odisha.

In a post on X, he described the dire situation with air routes closed, flights cancelled, and borders shut amid the conflict, leaving many trapped in a war zone.

It is the duty of the Odisha government to bring back all Odias safely in these untimely circumstances, Naveen stated. He accused the state government of indifference, saying its failure to act swiftly was worsening their plight. “Why is the government remaining indifferent?” he questioned.

The BJD leader further targeted the administration’s rhetoric on ‘Odia Asmita’ (Odia pride), asking, “Where is that pompous rhetoric now, when it cannot stand firmly with the people of Odisha in this difficult time?” He urged the state government to move beyond “tall talk” and take firm, immediate steps to evacuate all Odias from the conflict zone, emphasising that swift action would save lives and reassure families across the state.

Naveen reiterated his call for both the Odisha government and the Government of India to act urgently.

Earlier, he had directly appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting immediate arrangements for the safe evacuation of stranded Odias.

The conflict, now in its second week, has severely disrupted travel in the Gulf region, stranding many Indians including an estimated large number from Odisha in countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman.