New Delhi, 14 June (H.S.):

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday called on the Central Government to clearly explain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three Indian seafarers in an incident near the coast of Oman, stating that the nation deserves answers and the bereaved families deserve justice.

In a post on social media platform X, Kharge said he joined the entire country in mourning the loss of the Indian sailors. He noted that the bodies of the deceased had already been brought back to India, but alleged that no public statement or message of condolence had been issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi even three days after the incident.

Kharge said the families of the deceased sailors were entitled to justice and that the government must provide a transparent account of the events that led to the tragedy.

The Congress president also criticized the Centre’s foreign policy approach, alleging that it had weakened India's global standing and compromised national sovereignty. According to him, India's voice once carried greater weight internationally because of the independent foreign policy pursued by previous governments.

He stressed that the lives and safety of Indian citizens should never become a secondary consideration in matters of foreign policy. Kharge argued that safeguarding Indians abroad must remain a central priority of the government’s diplomatic engagement.

Calling for greater transparency, he urged the government to place the full facts of the incident before the nation and take all necessary measures to ensure justice for the affected families.

Kharge said the government must clearly communicate its position on the incident and demonstrate its commitment to protecting Indian citizens and upholding national interests in international affairs.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar