A heated exchange of words between former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, and the Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, has caught the attention of the Indian media and social media platforms. The exchange began when Siddaramaiah tweeted about the plight of the Hakki Pikki tribe in Sudan and urged the central government to intervene and save the 31 Indians who were stranded there amidst violent clashes that had claimed the lives of at least 180 people.
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 (@siddaramaiah) April 18, 2023
Siddaramaiah, through his Twitter account, requested the BJP government at both the state and centre to open diplomatic discussions immediately and ensure the safe return of the stranded Indians, who were without food. The tweet also attracted the attention of the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who accused Siddaramaiah of politicising the matter.
Simply appalled at your tweet! There are lives at stake; don’t do politics.
Since the fighting started on April 14th, the Embassy of India in Khartoum has been continuously in touch with most Indian Nationals and PIOs in Sudan. https://t.co/MawnIwStQp
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 18, 2023
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
In response to the tweet, the Minister of External Affairs stated that he was appalled by the tweet and accused Siddaramaiah of grossly irresponsible behaviour. Jaishankar emphasised that the Indian Embassy in Khartoum had been in touch with the local Indians since the beginning of the clashes. He also clarified that the details of the location could not be made public due to safety issues.
Highly Unprofessional!
Now we have minister who is appalled when another minister voicing the concern
Late Sushma Swaraj ji used to reply and help all those common citizens who used to ask help on social media.
What a downfall !!
— Siddharth (@ethicalsid) April 19, 2023
Where did he do politics?
Request for help from concerned officials including our state CM is what mature politicians do.
Your tweet, reeks of politics, sir. Please do your job and learn from late @SushmaSwaraj
— Srinivas Alavilli (@srinualavilli) April 19, 2023
I am appalled at your language
Confused at you feeling offensive
And sad that you are our External Affairs Minister, who simply just don't know how to handle the situations & questions
Seriously missing former External affairs minister Sushma swaraj ji todayShe was always just…
— Harmeet Kaur K (@iamharmeetK) April 18, 2023
Siddaramaiah was quick to respond cheekily to Jaishankar, questioning if the matter was appalling, then he should direct the country to someone who could help the stranded Indians. The social media is divided on the matter, with some accusing Siddaramaiah of politicising the issue, while others stressed that it is not wrong for a sitting MLA to question the safety of Indians stranded abroad.
Political vultures like Siddaramaiah don't even care about the life of Indian citizens for their petty politics!
If elections are not being held in Karnataka, this tweet would never have come. pic.twitter.com/qxXhmE1TEr
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) April 18, 2023
