Jobs lost, iqama expired: Mangalureans among 20 Indians stranded in Saudi

coastaldigest.com news network
August 17, 2017

Riyadh, Aug 17: A group of around 20 Indian expatriate workers, who were suddenly sacked by the Al Rasheed Company located at Exit 7, Riyadh, have been stranded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for past four months.

After losing their jobs, the penniless Indian expats, including at least two Mangalureans, have been spending their days and nights in a makeshift shed braving the extreme hot weather along with a few other foreign nationals. Their stay in Saudi Arabia is also now considered illegal as their residence permits (Iqama) have been expired. 

KCF’s humanitarian gesture

The jobless shed dwellers are not in a condition to afford day to day expenses. This week, upon learning about the condition of these helpless expats, a team of volunteers from Karnataka Cultural Foundation (KCF), a socio–cultural organization of Kannadigas in the oil-rich Kingdom, has come forward to help them.

The volunteers are now supplying them with food and drinking water. They also spoke to the electricity company and got the electricity supply back for them.

The stranded expats have already lodged a complaint against the company with the labour court and KCF has promised to support them in the legal battle. They also have promised to approach Indian embassy on behalf of the victims.

The selfless service of KCF Riyadh Zone volunteers Nazeer Kashipatti, Hamza Maindala, Nawaz Sakhafi, Ismail Jogibettu, Khalandar Phane, Rameez Kulai, Hasan Sagar was hailed by the Indian expatriates in Saudi. 

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News Network
November 12,2024

HDKzameer.jpg

Mysuru, Nov 12: Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka, who stirred a controversy by addressing the Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’ has tendered apologies for his remarks.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday, Minister Zameer stated that he will apologise if remarks have hurt JD-S workers.

“We both are very close. Then, in a total of 24 hours, we were together for 14 hours. He used to fondly address me as “kulla” (shorty) and I used to address him as “kariyanna” (blacky, kaalia),” Minister Zameer stated.

“I am not addressing him as ‘kaalia’ for the first time. I have not said something highly derogatory. It is being made as big in the backdrop of elections. With love, he used to call me a shorty and I called him a blacky. If I had caused pain to anyone by my words I apologise,” he said.

He further stated: “Kumaraswamy had said that he didn’t want the votes of the Muslim community. But now they are attempting to purchase Muslim votes. Against this backdrop, I have made the remark.”

Minister for Home G. Parameshwara stated on Tuesday, “Minister Zameer and Kumaraswamy are close friends. Their comments against each other are not significant.”

Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka stirred a controversy on Monday as he addressed the Union Minister as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’.

JD-S on Tuesday demanded a public apology and resignation of Minister for Waqf and Tourism Zameer Ahmad Khan over his ‘racist’ remarks.

“Remember, there is no place here for your divisive policies. You have insulted the people by making ethnic, racist and discriminatory statements. You should apologize to the people of the state and resign,” the JD (S) demanded in the post.

Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju reacted sternly to the racist jibe and stated, “I strongly deplore Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Kumaraswamy as 'Kaalia Kumaraswamy'.

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