The Congress on Thursday blasted the Narendra Modi government for not taking adequate measures to evacuate Indians from Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, alleging that inaction in times of extreme distress had become its habit.

Though the refusal to unequivocally criticise the Russian invasion also prompted some Congress leaders to attack the Modi government, the party officially focused on Indian students who were stranded in Ukraine and desperately seeking help from the embassy.

Congress communication chief Randeep Surjewala wondered whether the BJP’s obsession with the ongoing Assembly elections overrode the concern about students stuck in a war zone.

Surjewala said through a series of tweets: “To look the other way in every crisis… to remain silent has become the habit of the Modi Government. Our 20,000 youth are forced to grapple with the threat to their life. They are in panic and apprehensive about the uncertain future. Why were they not evacuated in time? Is this a self-reliant mission?”

Pointing out that the government had initially asked Indians to stay put where they are, Surjewala said: “Why, because the Government is busy fighting elections right now? The Prime Minister is addressing rallies instead of looking after distressed Indians. But all of us Indians are praying for the well-being and safety of those stranded in Ukraine.”

He posted a video that showed an Indian student complaining about lack of assistance from the Centre.

Explaining how troubled the people were, the student said: “We haven’t received any help from the government so far. The Indian embassy is not taking our calls. Air India’s intention is to make money in this crisis. Flight ticket rates have soared to Rs 55,000 from Rs 23,000.”

Surjewala responded: “This is aapda mein avsar (opportunity in crisis). The sudden lockdown during Corona forced people to walk thousands of kilometres. Now their silence has endangered the lives of students caught in Ukraine. 2,000 students are from Haryana. Forget giving help, the Khattar government didn’t even respond to my letter regarding the students written on February 17.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday also tweeted the video of the student in Ukraine and said the government must expedite the evacuation of the students from the strife-torn country. “The safety of 20,000 Indians stranded in Ukraine is paramount. The government must expedite their evacuation,” Rahul tweeted.

Former information and broadcasting minister and Congress MP Manish Tewari tweeted a video of students standing outside the Indian embassy in Kiev and said: “This merits the attention of the Ministry of External Affairs. I would request S. Jaishankar to advise our embassy to help our young people to the best of their ability. At least allow them to take shelter in the embassy premises.”

Students complained that they have been standing outside since morning in minus two degree cold but they are asked to find hotels themselves.

Tewari also said: “India should unequivocally condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine in unambiguous terms. There comes a time when you need to tell ‘friends’ they can’t indulge in regime change. India’s conduct of international relations should be characterised by calling a spade a spade. Let us not make the same mistake with Russia again as we did with the erstwhile Soviet Union when we did not condemn the Soviet Invasion of Hungary -1956, Czechoslovakia -1968, Afghanistan-1979. The principle being - In the 21st century can you change the status quo by force.”

Another party MP and former minister of external affairs Shashi Tharoor also tweeted the video of students standing outside the embassy and said: “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 electoral strategy but for diplomatic strategy. Our students who went to Ukraine to study are stranded there. Please understand the priorities.”

Citing a quote from the external affairs minister in the context of Chinese intrusion into India, that “this is absolutely clear that we will not accept any change in status quo”, Tharoor argued: “This should be our stand on Ukraine as well. Principles do not cease to be relevant depending on the identity of the invader.”

He added: “So Russia is conducting a “regime change” operation. How long can India, which has consistently opposed such interventions, stay silent? However much one appreciates Moscow’s legitimate security concerns, resort to war is impossible to accept or justify. We should demand they stop.”