Hyderabad, Oct. 24 -- More than 600 Umrah pilgrims from Karnataka and 36 from Kashmir remain stranded in Saudi Arabia amid flight disruptions, with concerns mounting over their access to accommodation, food and essential medicines.

In a letter posted on X on Friday, October 23, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene to facilitate the safe and early return of the stranded pilgrims from the state.

"I wish to draw your urgent attention to the difficult circumstances faced by over 600 Umrah pilgrims from Karnataka who are stranded in the holy cities of Makkah and Madina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following the suspension of return flights to Bengaluru and other parts of India am...