On Saturday, 1st August, around 50 Iranian Sikhs who had been stranded in Tehran due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia have finally returned to India, with the Government of India facilitating their evacuation. The last batch of Sikh families landed in India, bringing an end to months of uncertainty for members of the community who had remained trapped in Iran as the security situation worsened.
Several Iranian Sikh families had found themselves caught in difficult conditions after the conflict escalated. While around 25 families were able to leave Iran soon after India issued travel advisories, many others remained stranded in Tehran because of airspace restrictions and operational difficulties. During this period, the affected families took shelter at the historic Gurdwara Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha in Tehran, one of the oldest Sikh shrines in Iran, while waiting for a safe opportunity to return home.
The issue first came into public focus in late April when BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill highlighted the presence of nearly 25 Sikh families stranded in the Iranian capital and appealed for urgent government intervention.
How the issue reached the Ministry of External Affairs
In April, BJP national spokespersons RP Singh and Jaiveer Shergill separately sought the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after learning that several elderly Sikh couples staying at Gurdwara Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha in Tehran were unable to board a Mahan Air flight scheduled for 5th May.
According to the leaders, the airline was reportedly refusing to allow the passengers to board without clearance from the Government of India, leaving the elderly families stranded amid growing regional tensions.
In a letter addressed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, RP Singh urged the ministry to “urgently intervene, coordinate with the Indian Embassy, and ensure their safe return to India.”
Sharing the matter on X, Singh wrote, “Deeply concerned about a few elderly Sikh families stranded at Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Tehran. A Mahan Air flight on May 5 is available, but they are being denied boarding without GOI clearance. Request Hon’ble EAM Dr S Jaishankar ji to urgently intervene, coordinate with the Indian Embassy, and ensure their safe return to India.”
Deeply concerned about a few elderly Sikh families stranded at Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Tehran.
— RP Singh National Spokesperson BJP (@rpsinghkhalsa) April 30, 2026
A Mahan Air flight on May 5 is available, but they are being denied boarding without GOI clearance.
Request Hon’ble EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar ji to urgently intervene, coordinate… pic.twitter.com/F8jlBaBDBw
Jaiveer Shergill also made a similar appeal through X, writing, “Request MEA India to assist a few elderly Iranian Sikh couples who are stranded in Gurudwara Saab, Tehran, Iran. An aircraft operated by Mahaan Airways is scheduled to operate from Tehran to India on 5th May but the Airline is refusing to take them onboard without the permission of GOI. Requesting Sh Dr S Jaishankar ji to kindly intervene and assist the Sikh Families.”
Request @MEAIndia to assist Few elderly Iranian Sikh couples who are stranded in Gurudwara Saab, Tehran, Iran. An aircraft operated by Mahaan Airways is scheduled to operate from Tehran to India on 5th May but the Airline is refusing to take them onboard without the permission of…
— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) April 30, 2026
The two leaders said the stranded families were facing immense distress because of the volatile security situation in the region and needed immediate government support.
MEA steps in as India intensifies evacuation efforts
Following the appeals, the Ministry of External Affairs intensified its monitoring of the evolving situation in West Asia. The ministry said the safety, security and welfare of Indian nationals remained its highest priority.
The MEA stated that Indian missions and posts in the region were maintaining round-the-clock contact with Indian citizens while coordinating closely with local authorities. It also issued regular travel advisories and updates regarding flights, consular services and safety measures.
The ministry said, “Indian Missions and Posts remain in touch with the Indian community and continue to extend assistance, along with issuing necessary advisories for their safety and well-being.”
Apart from assisting stranded Indian citizens, the MEA also coordinated with local governments, professional associations, companies and community organisations to ensure timely dissemination of information. It also provided assistance to Indian seafarers and crew members working in the region.
Shergill recalls how the evacuation effort began
After the successful return of the Sikh families, Jaiveer Shergill explained that he had first raised the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs towards the end of April after learning that several Sikh families remained trapped in Tehran.
Speaking to The Tribune, Shergill said, “Many Sikhs who could not leave Iran in time had been sheltered at the gurdwara. They would spend the day at the shrine and return to their homes in Tehran at night to avoid the consequences of the war. I flagged the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs towards the end of April.”
He said he first became aware of the situation after seeing visuals of the Baisakhi celebrations at Gurdwara Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha. Despite the conflict, members of the Sikh community had continued their religious traditions, including the recital of the Shri Akhand Path Sahib, shabad kirtan and the ceremonial replacement of the Nishan Sahib.
Shergill noted that nearly 70 to 100 Sikh families have been living in Iran for over a century, making their safe return emotionally significant for the global Sikh community.
Highlighting the government’s response, Shergill wrote on X, “Iran has been home to nearly 70-100 Sikh families for over a century. When I raised the issue of their safe evacuation with PMOIndia, MEAIndia intervened within two hours. Today, the majority of these Sikh families have safely returned to India, thanks to the timely intervention, diplomacy & commitment of PM Narendra Modi. It yet again reaffirms that wherever the Sikh Sangat may be, PM Modi stands firmly with them in times of crisis.”
Iran has been home to nearly 70–100 Sikh families for over a century.
— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) August 1, 2026
When I raised the issue of their safe evacuation with @PMOIndia, @MEAIndia intervened within two hours.
Today, the majority of these Sikh families have safely returned to India, thanks to the timely… pic.twitter.com/jnRpcy5Dbx
He also described the evacuation as part of the government’s continued efforts for the Sikh community, referring to earlier initiatives such as facilitating the return of the saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan.
Evacuees express gratitude after reaching India
Among those who returned was Sardar Lajpal Singh Anand, a third-generation Iranian Sikh who has spent his entire life in Iran. After arriving safely in New Delhi, Anand thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaiveer Shergill for helping the community during the crisis.
In a video message, he said, “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. First of all, I want to thank my son Jaiveer, who helped us a lot in bringing us here. He went out of his way to help us and provided us with every facility. I am very grateful to him. Along with him, I also want to thank PM Modi, who took the initiative to bring the Sikh community from there. He not only planned how to bring us back but also successfully did so. I am very grateful to Modi ji. Thank you very much.”
VIDEO | Lajpal Singh Anand, who has lived in Iran since birth, expressed heartfelt gratitude to PM Modi for facilitating the safe return of the Sikh Sangat to India during the ongoing crisis.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2026
He said, "First of all, I would like to thank Jaiveer Shergill, who went out of his way… pic.twitter.com/zoYyAGWM4v
Later, while speaking after reaching India, Anand said, “We are deeply grateful to the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring our safe return. Thanks to the timely efforts, we are back safely with our families in India.”
Government shares evacuation details in Rajya Sabha
Meanwhile, the government also informed Parliament about its evacuation efforts from Iran.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. 30th July, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that since the outbreak of hostilities in West Asia in February 2026, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the cross-border movement of 2,557 Indian nationals from Iran to Armenia and Azerbaijan for their onward journey to India.
The minister said the government estimates that around 7,000 Indian nationals are still present in Iran. These include seminary students, medical students, workers, seafarers and fishermen.
Responding to questions on whether the government had assessed the academic and financial losses suffered by medical students who returned from Iran, Singh said the issue has been taken up with the Iranian authorities and that the government is exploring ways to reduce the impact on the affected students.
He also informed the House that the government continues to closely monitor the security situation in Iran through the Indian Embassy, which operates a 24-hour emergency helpline and email service for Indian nationals.
Referring to the latest travel advisory issued on 19th July, Singh said Indian nationals already in Iran have been advised to consider temporarily leaving the country through available commercial flights, while those planning to travel to Iran have been advised to postpone their visits until the security situation improves.
The successful return of the stranded Sikh families reflects India’s continued efforts to assist its citizens and members of the Indian community abroad during periods of international crisis.
