‘Don’t think about suicide’: Indian FM Swaraj tweets to man trapped in Saudi Arabia
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj regularly helps Indians living abroad who tweet her with visa issues, but on Wednesday a desperate man asked her whether she could help him or if he should just kill himself.
“Tell me one thing, can you help me or should I kill myself? It has been about 12 months that I have been pleading for help from the embassy,” the man, identified only as Ali, said in a now-deleted tweet to the foreign minister. “It would be a huge help if you can send me to India. I have four children.”
'Khud kusi' ki baat nahin sochte. Hum hain na. Hamari Embassy aapki poori madad karegi. @IndianEmbRiyadh - Pls send me a report on this. https://t.co/ajU8EXyhAK
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 18, 2019
Yes M'am.
— India in SaudiArabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) April 18, 2019
“Don’t think about suicide. We are there for you. Our embassy will help you,” Swaraj replied, while also ordering the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to investigate the man’s circumstances and desperate plea for help.
The man reportedly claimed he had no copy of his passport but instead only had an ‘iqama’ or residency permit for foreign workers.
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Many online lavished praise on the foreign minister, who has drawn attention in the past for going above and beyond the call of duty to help citizens in distress.
Real iron lady looks like this real women empowerment looks like this . Going to vote for first time thanks for making it more clear that india deserve best not waste . Jai Hind ma'am.
— Harshita maheshwari (@harshimaheshwa2) April 18, 2019
You have set the bar so high for a poilitician, ma’am @SushmaSwaraj. You are earnest, kind, hardworking and dignified. May your tribe increase.
— Nivedita Tiwari (@TiwariNivedita) April 18, 2019
As a consultant psychiatrist, my heartfelt appreciation for your gesture towards this Man in Riyadh. Sometimes one simply needs to hear that there is someone who is there to support him amidst darkest of times. “Hum Hai Na” Rocks!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
— Dr Adarsh Dharendra uk (@DharendraDr) April 18, 2019
Don't worry bro mam definitely help you 🙏🙏
— Chowkidar Ankit Kumar Anand (@ANKITYA61929068) April 18, 2019
Many took the opportunity to highlight their own plights.
Guangzhou Consulate has helped us with a lawyer, but nothing is improving. Lawyer only goes there to meet my husband. We are so much in trouble for 8 months, I am having a 9 months old baby. Mam Please help to get my husband back from China. I beg you mam. Please reply
— Reshma (@Resh_masud) April 18, 2019
Mam, please help this poor guy who is behind bars in Malaysia because he's cheated by his travel agent. He is illiterate and come from very poor family. He had gone to Malaysia to earn. pic.twitter.com/uLzKnM7Loc
— Human First (@1sttHuman) April 18, 2019
Ali’s plea for assistance comes at a time when shocking revelations about the reported executions of two Indian men in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia earlier this year have come to light.
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