Why perform Haj at public expense? Muslim League backs subsidy abolition

Centre's move to gradually stop subsidising Haj pilgrimage has got thumbs up from Indian Union Muslim League which clarified that Haj is not a compulsory ritual and it need not be performed using government funds. 
 

There is no need to question the sincerity of the Central Government in forming a panel to look into the question of reducing the Haj Subsidy.  Haj is not a compulsory ritual. Only those who can afford the expenses should perform Haj. Using government fund or someone else's money for performing Haj is not advisable, IUML leader KNA Khader opined. Not all countries are subsidising Haj, and it should not be considered as a religious or political decision, he added. 

There were reports that Minority Affairs Ministry formed a high-level committee last week to look into the Haj subisidy and to hold discussions with stake holders. Interestingly, the panel was constituted soon after Saudi Arabia increased the size of India's Haj quota from  1,36,020 to 1,70,520.
 

Kerala Minister for Local Administration KT Jaleel also came out in support of the move to end Haj subsidy. The pilgrims should give a thought on whether they should go to Mecca using someone else's money, he said.  

In a 2012 order, the Supreme Court had directed the Union Govt. to abolish Haj subsidy by 2022 in a phased manner and to use Rs.650 crore that goes into subsidising the pilgrimage for the educational and social development of Muslim community.  India started funding Haj pilgrimage in 1954 as mooted by the then-prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.  
 

• Haj subsidy
• Indian Union Musilm League
• IUML
• KT Jaleel
• Muslims in India
• Haj Pilgrimage