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 the ruling and opposition parties urging the Centre to intervene and ease the distress of the affected pilgrims.
The sudden cancellation of the slots has left thousands of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir in a state of uncertainty and anxiety, with many having already made arrangements and spent a significant amount of money for the pilgrimage.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is currently in the United States, took to Twitter to express his concern and urgency over the matter. “Just got info that 52000 Hajj slots for India have been cancelled by Saudi Arabia. This is a huge setback for our pilgrims. I urge the Centre to take immediate action to get these slots restored. No time to waste,” he tweeted.
Omar Abdullah’s tweet was echoed by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who also urged the Centre to take swift action to resolve the issue. “The sudden cancellation of Hajj slots for Indian pilgrims is a cause of great distress for many families in Jammu and Kashmir. I urge the Centre to take immediate action to resolve this issue and ensure that our pilgrims are able to perform their Hajj,” she said.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with Saudi Arabia to restore the quota. “I urge the Prime Minister to immediately speak with the Saudi authorities and request them to restore the Hajj quota for Indian pilgrims. This is a matter of great importance for our people and I hope the Centre will take immediate action to resolve this issue,” he said.
The cancellation of the Hajj slots is a huge blow to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage. The Hajj is one of the most sacred and important rituals in Islam, and many Muslims from Jammu and Kashmir make it a point to perform the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
The cancellation of the slots has not only left the pilgrims in distress but also raised questions about the Centre’s inability to negotiate with Saudi Arabia to restore the quota. The Centre’s failure to act promptly and decisively has led to widespread criticism and anger among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The cancellation of the Hajj slots is also seen as a major setback for the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, which relies heavily on the Hajj pilgrimage. Many travel agents, tour operators, and other stakeholders in the tourism industry are likely to be affected by the cancellation of the slots, leading to a significant loss of revenue and jobs.
The issue has also raised questions about the Centre’s ability to protect the interests of Indian pilgrims abroad. The Centre’s failure to negotiate with Saudi Arabia to restore the quota has led to widespread criticism and anger among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are demanding that the Centre take immediate action to resolve the issue.
In conclusion, the cancellation of 52,000 Hajj slots for Indian pilgrims by Saudi Arabia is a huge setback for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and it is imperative that the Centre takes immediate action to resolve the issue. The Centre’s failure to act promptly and decisively has led to widespread criticism and anger among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and it is essential that the Centre takes immediate action to restore the quota and ensure that our pilgrims are able to perform their Hajj.
