J&K Leaders Urge Centre to Act on 52,000 Hajj Slot Cut
The cancellation of 52,000 Hajj slots for Indian pilgrims by Saudi Arabia has sent shockwaves across Jammu and Kashmir, with leaders from ruling and opposition parties in the state urging the Centre to intervene and ease the distress caused to the affected pilgrims. The move has been widely condemned, with many calling it a “blow” to the Muslim community in the state.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) government in Jammu and Kashmir has called for swift action to address the issue. “We urge the Centre to take immediate action to resolve this issue and ensure that the pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are not denied their right to perform Hajj,” Abdullah said.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who is also a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has also appealed to the Centre to intervene and restore the cancelled Hajj slots. “We request the Centre to immediately speak to Saudi Arabia and resolve this issue. It’s not just a matter of Hajj, but a matter of faith and dignity for our people,” Mufti said.
National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah has also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with Saudi Arabia to restore the quota for Indian pilgrims. “I appeal to the Prime Minister to take up this issue with Saudi Arabia and ensure that the pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir are not denied their right to perform Hajj,” Abdullah said.
The cancellation of Hajj slots has caused immense distress to the pilgrims, who have been preparing for the holy journey for months. Many have already made arrangements for their travel and accommodation, and the cancellation of the slots has left them in a state of uncertainty.
The move has also been criticized by many in the state, who see it as a “brazen” attempt to curtail the rights of Muslims. “This is a blow to the Muslim community in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s not just a matter of Hajj, but a matter of our faith and our right to practice it,” said a local resident.
The cancellation of Hajj slots is seen as a fallout of the ongoing tensions between India and Saudi Arabia over various issues, including the recent row over the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The two countries have been engaged in a diplomatic row over the issue, with Saudi Arabia reportedly cancelling the Hajj slots as a “punishment” for India’s stance on the Ram temple.
While the Centre has maintained that it is working to resolve the issue, many are skeptical of the government’s ability to restore the cancelled slots. “The Centre has failed to deliver on many promises, including the restoration of Article 370. We don’t see why they would be able to deliver on this issue,” said a local resident.
The cancellation of Hajj slots has also raised concerns over the plight of the pilgrims, many of whom are elderly and may not be able to perform the pilgrimage again. “Many of the pilgrims are elderly and may not be able to perform the pilgrimage again. The cancellation of the slots is a blow to them and their families,” said a local Islamic leader.
As the controversy continues to rage, it remains to be seen whether the Centre is able to intervene and restore the cancelled Hajj slots for Indian pilgrims. One thing is certain, however – the move has caused immense distress to the Muslim community in Jammu and Kashmir, and has raised questions over the Centre’s ability to protect the rights of its citizens.
