Over 2,500 students from Gujarat are stranded in Ukraine amid the launch of military action by Russia. The state’s education minister Jitu Vaghnani gave the information regarding the stranded students on Friday. He said that chief minister Bhupendra Patel is in touch with the Centre to ensure the safe return of these students.

“At present around 2,500 students from Gujarat are in Ukraine. The Indian government is concerned about the safety of its citizens stranded in Ukraine from the very beginning. CM Patel is in constant touch with external affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to ensure the safe return of students,” Vaghani said.

He further said that as per the instructions of the state’s chief secretary Pankaj Kumar had spoken to the foreign secretary to help the students. Along with this, the state government has also started a control room in order to provide information about the latest situation in Ukraine and to provide help and guidance.

The state education minister said, “In addition to the numbers provided by the central government, people living in Gujarat can also contact 079-23251900 for information or help regarding the situation ongoing in Ukraine. I request the citizens stranded in Ukraine to keep in touch with the Indian Embassy there.”

On the other hand, Congress in the state has accused the BJP of not taking any steps to save the stranded students and other Indian citizens of the state in Ukraine. At the same time, BJP has also made its point clear and said that the central government is making every effort for the safe return of Indian citizens from Ukraine.

Unhappy with the Centre’s response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, Congress spokesperson Shakti Singh Gohil said the Modi government should come out of election mode. He said Congress had asked the Center to start the rescue process a week ago itself. However, Centre failed to take any step.