'Bring This Indian Home': Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Modi Over Seafarer's Body Lying On Ship Off Oman

New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the death of an Indian seafarer whose body is decomposing on board MT Celestial off the coast of Oman due to alleged government apathy amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

Seafarer Nishanth Uirthanathan from Tamil Nadu died on June 11 due to a lack of medical support, according to the Forward Seamen's Union of India(FSUI), with the Indian Embassy in Oman claiming that Nishanth died due to “medical complications”.

Gandhi, while reacting to a video appeal by the Captain of MT Celestial to repatriate the seafarer's body, attacked “compromised PM” Modi, saying “being an Indian means utter ruin”. “Foreign powers kill our citizens. Our government quietly obeys orders like an obedient servant—and our citizens are left to rot. Bring this Indian home. Now,” he said.

In the video, the MT Celestial Captain says that Nishanth's body was decomposing while alleging that there had been no positive response from the Indian embassy in this regard. The video shows Nishanth's body being covered in a black tarpaulin with bottles of water placed near it probably to prevent it from decomposition.

“This is the dead body of our second officer. He died two days ago and his body is decomposing. We reached out to the Indian Embassy but haven’t got a positive response. Our company is hiding from us,” the captain of MT Celestial anchored in Oman says in the video as other crew members watch helplessly.

On Saturday, the FSUI said that Nishanth passed away on the 11th at 1800 hrs “due to lack of timely medical support”. “Two days later, mortal remains remain onboard without proper preservation. Port Duqm, Oman has shut down WiFi/comms, with authorities unresponsive. Who cares for seafarers?” it asked in a post on X.

“They keep global trade moving but face neglect in medical care & repatriation amid conflicts they have nothing to do with. Demand urgent action for evacuation, body preservation & dignified return,” the FSUI said in a desperate appeal for help.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Oman on Sunday said that it "remains in close touch with family members of the Indian national Mr. Nishanth Uirthanathan, who unfortunately lost his life due to medical conditions, crew members of the vessel, and concerned authorities".

"Efforts are underway to facilitate the earliest possible disembarkation and repatriation of his mortal remains".

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