“Thousands of Tamils in Gulf countries have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 pandemic and are finding it hard to survive without proper food. MDMK condemns state and Centre for not taking proper steps to bring them back to Tamil Nadu and for letting them down,” said MDMK leader Vaiko, after the protest. Close to 40 MDMK functionaries and cadre participated in the protest in which all the protesters wore face masks and observed social distancing. Vaiko urged the governments to bring back Tamils from foreign countries. “Tamils in Gulf countries booked tickets on their own and were waiting to return but the Centre cancelled the flights under Vande Bharat scheme,” alleged Vaiko. He also said that the neighbouring state of Kerala is taking all required steps to bring Keralites stranded in middle east countries and similarly Tamil Nadu too should take steps at the earliest to bring them back to their native places.