India’s Private Hajj Quota Reduced by 80%, MEA Urged to Address Concerns

Saudi Arabia has reportedly reduced India’s private Hajj quota by 80%. This drastic cut has sparked a strong reaction from Indian political leaders, leading them to call on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene.

Background:

Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca, is a significant event for Muslims around the world. Each country is allotted a specific quota to determine how many pilgrims they can send. For the year 2025, the quota between India and Saudi Arabia was finalized at 175,025 pilgrims. This allocation was split between the Hajj Committee of India (HCoI) and private Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) in a 70:30 ratio, which meant 52,507 spots were assigned to HGOs.

Recent Changes:

However, recent reports have revealed that Saudi Arabia has reduced the private Hajj quota by a staggering 80%, leaving many aspiring pilgrims uncertain about their chance to make the pilgrimage. This unexpected decision has raised concerns among all parties involved.

Political Reactions:

The reduction has prompted strong reactions from Indian political figures. Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference (NC), called the move “unfortunate” and “unprecedented,” stressing the need for the Indian government to take swift action to protect the interests of pilgrims.

Mehbooba Mufti, the chief of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), called the change “disheartening” and urged the MEA to diplomatically engage with Saudi Arabia to restore the original quota and ensure that pilgrims are not deprived of this vital spiritual journey.

Government’s Response:

In light of this development, there have been calls for the MEA to step in quickly. Diplomatic measures are expected to be taken to seek clarification from Saudi Arabia and to push for the reinstatement of the reduced quota. The objective is to ensure that the hopes of thousands of pilgrims are not dashed due to this sudden policy shift.

Implications:

The reduction in the private Hajj quota has several far-reaching implications:

• Pilgrim Displacement: Many pilgrims who had planned their journey through private operators are now facing uncertainty about whether they can make the trip.

• Economic Impact: Travel agencies and operators involved in arranging Hajj pilgrimages could suffer financial losses due to the reduced quota.

• Diplomatic Relations: This issue could strain the relationship between India and Saudi Arabia unless resolved diplomatically.

The abrupt reduction in India’s private Hajj quota by Saudi Arabia has caused considerable anxiety among pilgrims and political leaders alike. It is crucial that the MEA takes quick and decisive action to engage with Saudi authorities and ensure that the aspirations of the Indian Muslim community are not hindered.

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