Bengaluru: Heavyweights from the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were drawn in a no-holds-barred spat over former chief minister Siddaramaiah’s tweet urging help for a group of people from Karnataka stranded in war-torn Sudan.
The latest to wade into the Twitter slugfest was former Union minister Jairam Ramesh, a Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, who hit out at External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar saying he gave a “most appalling response” to his colleague.
A most appalling response from the External Affairs minister to a former CM with a genuine appeal. This level of nastiness from a man I have known so very well… who has developed new loyalties and who wants to show that in whatever he says and does. I am 😷 on his past. https://t.co/Eh9sixxbU9 pic.twitter.com/NdtPYGIipZ
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 19, 2023
According to the government officials, there are over 30 people from Karnataka stranded in Sudan and efforts are underway to bring them back.
“It has been brought to the notice of the State Government that people from Karnataka residing in various parts of Sudan have sought assistance for safe evacuation. The State Government is in constant touch with the MEA,” read the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) bulletin issued Tuesday night.
The slugfest began after Siddaramaiah, the Leader of Opposition, made a plea Tuesday urging the Modi government to rescue the group stranded in Sudan.
“It is reported that 31 people from Karnataka belonging to Hakki Pikki tribe, are stranded in Sudan which is troubled by civil war. I urge @PMOIndia @narendramodi, @HMOIndia, @MEAIndia and @BSBommai to immediately intervene & ensure their safe return,” Siddaramaiah tweeted.
In a series of tweets, the Congress leader added that the Hakki-Pikkis, a nomadic tribe from Karnataka, were left stranded without food in Sudan and that the Union government is yet to initiate action to bring them back. He also added that one Indian life and 60 others were lost in the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
The first to hit back from the BJP was Bengaluru South MP, Tejasvi Surya, chiding the Congress for politicising a crisis.
“Sir, we don’t need lessons on rescuing stranded Indians from the Congress. Modi Govt has rescued lakhs of stranded Indians during Vande Bharat Mission, students during Ukraine war, nurses from Yemen and more. All Kannadigas will return safe! #TrustNaMo,” he tweeted.
A few hours later, Jaishankar hit out at Siddaramaiah saying it was “grossly irresponsible” to politicise the situation.
Plans regarding them have to take into account a very complicated security scenario. The Embassy is in constant touch with the Ministry in that regard.
It is grossly irresponsible of you to politicize their situation. No electoral goal justifies endangering Indians abroad.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 18, 2023
Siddaramaiah then pulled no punches after Jaishankar’s curt response.
Since you are the External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar I have appealed you for help.
If you are busy getting appalled please point us to the person who can help us bring our people back. https://t.co/B21Lndvxit
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 18, 2023
Karnataka votes 10 May, and the results will be declared 13 May. The ruling BJP and the Congress are gearing up for the election whose result can set the tone for the next year’s Lok Sabha poll.
Who are Hakki-Pikkis?
According to the Karnataka government, the Hakki-Pikkis are one of the 50 recognised Scheduled Tribe castes in the state.
Though there is no official count of the number of people from Karnataka in Sudan, one stranded person, who identified himself as the leader or representative of the Hakki-Pikki community, told state officials over a phone call that there were 31 people with him.
“He told me that he had gone there for business as medicine was expensive, in short supply and that our herbal medicine was helping people. He also told me that they had gone to Sudan nine months ago and that business was good,” KSDMA commissioner Manoj Rajan told The Print Wednesday.
Members of this community are mostly found in southern districts of Karnataka. There are many sociological studies about this tribe, with articles on their practices even finding mention in a US government website.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the Hakki-Pikki clan is a semi-nomadic group and they live near Bidadi in Karnataka. Their population in Karnataka is 11,892 as per the 2011 Census. The tribe has taken up hunting as their occupation but many are now showing more interest in agriculture and floral decoration, it said.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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