As Russia launched an offensive against Ukraine, Opposition leaders, mostly from the Congress, on Thursday attacked the government for not making arrangements in time to bring 20,000 Indians in Ukraine back and accused it of "turning away its face" on its nationals in this difficult time. Some of the Congress leaders also demanded that India should take a firm stand and "unequivocally condemn" Russia's action.

Attacking the government for not acting despite repeated warnings, Congress asked why it had not made arrangements in time to bring 20,000 Indians in Ukraine back home safely. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Turning away its face in every difficult situation...And remaining silent has become a habit of the Modi government. Our 20,000 Indian youth in Ukraine are forced to grapple with fear, apprehension and life-threatening situations."

हर मुश्किल वक्त में मुँह फेर लेना..और चुप्पी साध लेना ही मोदी सरकार की आदत बन गयी है ।

हमारे 20,000 भारतीय युवा #Ukraine में भय, आशंका और जीवन पर ख़तरे की स्थिति से जूझने को मजबूर हैं।समय रहते उन्हें सकुशल लाने का इंतजाम क्यों नहीं किया ? क्या यही 'आत्मनिर्भर' मिशन है ?— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 24, 2022

"Why were arrangements not made in time to bring them safely? Is this the 'self-reliant' mission," Surjewala tweeted. In a series of tweets in Hindi, he said, "The Government of India says - Our 20,000 Indians trapped in Ukraine should stay where they are. Because the government is busy fighting elections right now?”

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"Prime Minister ji, instead of taking care of all, you are busy in election rallies... But we Indians are praying for the well-being of all of you," he said and added "this is called...opportunity in disaster once again? #Ukraine #UkraineConflict."

भारत सरकार का कहना है-#Ukraine में फ़ँसे हमारे 20,000 भारतीय जहाँ हैं वहीं रहें।

क्योंकि सरकार अभी चुनाव लड़ने में व्यस्त है ?प्रधानमंत्री जी, आप सभी का ख़याल करने की बजाय चुनावी रैलियों में हवा भर रहे हैं।मग़र हम देशवासी आप सभी की सकुशलता के लिए प्रार्थना कर रहे हैं।1/2— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 24, 2022

Congress MP Vivek Tankha asked that when the US could evacuate its citizens on time, why did India fail to do so despite repeated warnings. "Very poor strategy planning. With thousands trapped in the conflict zone, we have failed our people. Imagine their & families plight," he said.

When USA could evacuate its citizens on times , why did India fail to do so despite repeated warnings. Very poor strategy planning. With thousands trapped in conflict zone we have failed our ppl. Imagine their & families plight. #ukraine #russianinvasion https://t.co/GiRgQoHCy3

— Vivek Tankha (@VTankha) February 24, 2022

The situation in Ukraine deteriorated after President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine, triggering serious concerns over the possibility of a full-scale military confrontation between the two countries.

Also Read | Russia-Ukraine crisis: India calls for immediate de-escalation, says situation in danger of spiralling into major crisis

Former minister of state for external affairs and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said he is receiving a number of desperate messages from families of students stranded in Ukraine and needing evacuation. "Mr Prime Minister, this is not the time for election strategy but for diplomatic strategy. Thousands of our children who have gone to study in Ukraine are stuck there, understand the priority!" he said in a tweet in Hindi.

Receiving a number of desperate Messages from families of students stranded in Ukraine & needing evacuation. प्रधानमंत्री जी, यह समय चुनावी रणनीति का नहीं बल्कि राजनायिक रणनीति का है। यूक्रेन में पढ़ने के लिए गए हमारे हज़ारों बच्चे वहाँ फंसे हुए हैं, प्राथमिकता समझिए ! @PMOIndia

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 24, 2022

"Let us not make the same mistake qua Russia again when we did with the erstwhile Soviet Union when we did not condemn Soviet Invasion of Hungary -1956, Czechoslovakia -1968, Afghanistan-1979," Tewari said. The principle being in the 21st century can you change the status quo by force, he added.

Let us not make the same mistake qua Russia again when we did with erstwhile Soviet Union when we did not condemn Soviet Invasion of Hungary -1956, Czechoslovakia -1968, Afghanistan-1979. The principle being- In the 21 st century can you change status quo by force.@DrSJaishankar https://t.co/Vq8wLiI7RC

— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) February 24, 2022

Tharoor also slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan over his visit to Russia amid the developments and cited the example of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who in 1979 as the then foreign minister had cut short his visit to China when Beijing attacked Vietnam. “If @imrankhan has any self-respect, he will do what Vajpayee Sahib did when China attacked Vietnam during his 1979 visit: he should cancel his trip immediately & go home. Otherwise, he is complicit in the invasion,” Tharoor said.

If @imrankhanPTI has any self-respect, he will do what Vajpayee Sahib did when China attacked Vietnam during his 1979 visit: he should cancel his trip immediately & go home. Otherwise he is complicit in the invasion. https://t.co/YkyIcknoyI

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 24, 2022

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi posted a video on Twitter purportedly of some Indians in Ukraine talking about their problems with the caption “This is what I have been raising with MEA and Civil Aviation Ministry. Now our Indians are stranded and are feeling helpless.”

Describing the situation in Ukraine as “highly uncertain”, the India embassy in its advisory on Thursday said, “Please maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are, be it in your homes, hostels, accommodations or in transit. All those who are travelling to Kyiv, including those travelling from western parts of Kyiv, are advised to return to their respective cities. Temporarily, especially towards safer places along the western bordering countries.”

Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to consequences they had “never seen”.

Catch all the live updates on the Russia-Ukraine conflict here.

First Published:Feb 24, 2022 5:31 PM IST