Bahrain embassy sets up Saudi transit visa to repatriate Indians; Here’s what you need to know
Manama: The Indian Embassy in Bahrain has announced that transit visa arrangements have been made through Saudi Arabia to repatriate Indian nationals stranded in Bahrain due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
According to a statement issued by the embassy, priority will be given to individuals on tourist or short-term visas.
Vinod K Jacob, Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, stated that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh will obtain individual transit visas from the Saudi government upon request. The Indian Embassy in Bahrain will submit the necessary transit visa requests to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for transit visas via Saudi Arabia has been issued, which are as follows
Passengers intending to travel to India must hold a confirmed air ticket.
It has been advised that a formal note issued by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh should be presented to Saudi immigration officials at the checkpoint before entering Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi transit visa is valid for 72 to 96 hours. Passengers are required to leave Saudi Arabia for India within this period. It has also been advised that travelers should reach the Saudi checkpoint during daylight hours.
The Embassy has urged all Indian nationals in Bahrain to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions in view of the current regional situation. They are requested to follow the instructions issued by local authorities and the Embassy.
The Indian Embassy in Bahrain continues to operate as usual, with a 24×7 helpline available for urgent assistance. For immediate support, citizens can contact +973 39418071 or +973 38400433.
Indians wishing to avail of the transit visa facility can submit their requests along with personal details, including visa and passport information, to the email address wel2.bahrain@mea.gov.in, the Embassy said.
Advisory 👇@MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @diaspora_india pic.twitter.com/JyjHYxmluP
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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
