Kashmiri Nurse Detained in Saudi Arabia Over Social Media Post on Iran's Late Supreme Leader
A 29-year-old man from Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district has been allegedly detained by authorities in Saudi Arabia, sparking concern and confusion among his family back home. The incident occurred on March 25 when Amjad Ali Bhat was picked up from his workplace at a health facility in Dammam, where he worked as a 'nurse specialist'.
Family Struggles for Information Amid West Asia Tensions
Amjad's family in Kashmir only learned about his detention when they called his contact number on March 25. The call was answered by his colleague and roommate from Tamil Nadu, who informed them that Amjad had been taken by 'local authorities' during his day shift. "We have absolutely no information about him now and are worried amid the West Asia crisis," said his father, Ghulam Ali, a pensioner who retired from the handicrafts department under the Union Ministry of Textiles.
The family suspects the detention is linked to a social media post Amjad uploaded on his Facebook account on March 3 about Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. They have received no official reason or charges from Saudi authorities, nor information about his whereabouts or detention center.
Diplomatic and Government Appeals Initiated
In response to the crisis, Amjad's elder sister, Shahida, revealed that the family has written to both the Indian embassy in Riyadh and the Saudi embassy in Delhi. The Indian embassy has replied, stating they have taken up the matter with Saudi authorities and are following it up. A response from the Saudi embassy is still awaited.
Additionally, the family has submitted an application at their local police station in Kashmir and sought assistance from the Jammu and Kashmir government. The J&K Students' Association (JKSA) has also intervened, writing to the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday. "The JKSA has written to Minister S Jaishankar seeking urgent intervention and raised concerns over his safety, legal status, and prolonged inaccessibility," said JKSA's national convenor Nasir Khuehami.
Background and Family Impact
Amjad Ali Bhat, the fourth among eight siblings and the sole breadwinner for his family, had moved to Saudi Arabia in June last year to join a company in Dammam. His detention has left the family in distress, with his father emphasizing the lack of clarity and communication from authorities. The Indian embassy's reply on April 2 assured that the matter is being pursued, but the family continues to await concrete developments.
This case highlights the complexities of international employment, social media regulations, and diplomatic channels in crisis situations, particularly in regions like West Asia where tensions can influence such incidents.
