Saudi Arabia: The ongoing tensions in the Gulf countries and international tensions are now affecting the pockets of Indian Haj pilgrims. The sudden hike of Rs 10,000 in airfare by the Haj Committee of India has sparked a fresh controversy.
The West Midnapore District Congress Committee (Minority Department) has protested against the central government, calling it an ‘attack’ on the middle class and poor Hajj pilgrims, saying the financial burden is unfair.
They have written to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, demanding immediate rollback of the hiked airfares. They argue that suddenly imposing an additional financial burden on Hajj pilgrims at the last minute is a completely anti-poor decision. Sohail Raza says that Hajj is a sacred religious journey and thousands of Muslim families save their life savings for it.
The Congress Minority Affairs Department has appealed to the Haj Committee of India and the Ministry to protect the interests of Haj pilgrims and maintain the predetermined price of the Haj 2026 package.
The organization has clearly warned that if the government does not withdraw this decision and does not provide financial compensation to the pilgrims, they will have to launch a massive protest.