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Central Government on Tuesday had announced the abolition of a century old Haj Subsidy giving a closure to the perennial debate with respect to its present day utility. The official statement came from Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minority Affairs Minister. Further, adding to the announcement he said that subsidy funds will now be used for educational empowerment of girls and women of minority community. He also mentioned that despite the withdrawal of subsidy the visits by the pilgrims to the holy place are not going to get affected and that around 1.75 lakh Muslims are going to undertake the pilgrimage in the current year.
It is significant to note that this announcement came in adherence to the 2012 ruling of the Supreme Court that directed the centre to phase out the provision of subsidy in coming 10 years. Since then the government has been reducing the amount of subsidy given to Haj pilgrims by a considerable margin each year. Last year Ministry of Minority Affairs had constituted a committee to review the existing Haj Policy and define the upgraded framework for Haj Policy (2018-22). The withdrawn has been effected as a part of the recommendation of the committee. Further as a part of policy Saudi Arabian government has been approached to allow Haj journey from India by ships and it has given its principle approval for the same. Mr. Naqvi while revealing this also said “This is part of our policy to empower minorities with dignity and without appeasement”.
On the flip side of the decision, the much anticipated criticism has come from All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Secretary Maulana Wali Rehmani who while expressing his disappointment said that such withdrawal of subsidy doesn’t hold any significance as Muslims actually never got any benefit or concession and were being cheated in the name of subsidy. He further alleged “the subsidy was not given to those going on Haj but it was for Air India that is running in losses. It was an eyewash”.
However, the announcement has been warmly welcomed by and large by everyone. Even the opposition has given a silent nod to the withdrawal decision and expects the ruling government to utilize the subsidy fund for development and education of minorities including the young girls and disempowered.
It is to be noted that Haj Subsidy was initially introduced in 1932 by the British Government under Port Haj Committees Act to support Muslims for undertaking the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The subsidy allowed the discounted airfares to the Muslim pilgrims including assistance for domestic travel. It also facilitated medical care, lodging and meals in order to help pilgrims to make visit to the Holy place in without any difficulties.
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