Saudi bus tragedy: Telangana shunts Hajj official over ‘insensitive’ remark

Dubai: The Telangana government has removed Mohammed Safiullah, Director of the Telangana Urdu Academy and Executive Officer of the Telangana Hajj Committee, after a video of him making “insensitive” remarks to grieving families of the Saudi bus accident victims triggered widespread outrage.

The action came as state and central authorities launched extensive support measures for the families of 45 Umrah pilgrims from Hyderabad who were killed in the tragic collision near Madinah on Sunday night.

Safiullah was repatriated to his parent department, Telangana Power Generation Corporation (TSGENCO), following demands from political leaders, community organisations and bereaved families. In the viral video, he was heard telling distressed relatives, “Jale hue tukdo ko kya dekhne jaate?” (“Why do you need to go see the charred remains?”) when they gathered at Haj House seeking assistance and travel arrangements to Saudi Arabia.

Despite later issuing an apology, the state government moved swiftly. B. Shafiullah, Secretary, Minorities Welfare Department, issued orders relieving Mohammed Safiullah of his responsibilities.

Mohammed Asadullah, Survey Commissioner of Waqf, has been appointed as the in-charge Executive Officer of the Telangana Hajj Committee and Director of the Urdu Academy. The government said the remarks were unacceptable at a time when families were in deep grief.

Camp office opens

Meanwhile, efforts to support affected families intensified on multiple fronts. The Indian Consulate General in Jeddah has opened a camp office in Madinah at the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office (Room No. 104, First Floor, Saroor Taiba Al Dahbiya Hotel) to coordinate assistance and communication.

Consulate officials are working with Saudi authorities to verify identities, facilitate formalities and support the lone survivor of the accident, who is undergoing treatment.

A high-level Telangana government delegation, led by Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin, left for Saudi Arabia on Monday night. The delegation includes AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain and Secretary B. Shafiullah. They are expected to meet Indian embassy officials and Saudi authorities to streamline support, oversee arrangements and assist families in the funeral process.

Ex-gratia

The Telangana Cabinet has approved an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for each of the deceased. It has also decided to arrange for two family members of each bereaved household to travel to Saudi Arabia to attend the last rites, which may be performed in the Kingdom as per Islamic customs.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to work closely with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Saudi authorities.

Helplines have been activated in Hyderabad and New Delhi for real-time updates. In Delhi, Telangana Resident Commissioner Dr Shashank Goel chaired an emergency review meeting, appointing a dedicated liaison officer for 24/7 coordination with the MEA.

The accident — one of the worst involving Indian Umrah pilgrims in recent years — occurred when the bus carrying 46 passengers collided with a diesel tanker around 30 km from Madinah, bursting into flames and killing 45 people, most of them from Hyderabad.

-- With IANS inputs