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 urging the Centre to take swift action to ease the distress of the affected pilgrims.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti have called for the Centre to intervene and resolve the issue at the earliest. National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with Saudi Arabia to restore the quota.
The cancellation of the Hajj slots has left thousands of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir in a state of uncertainty, with many having already made arrangements for their pilgrimage. The move has also sparked concerns about the safety and security of the pilgrims, with many expressing fears about the potential risks involved in traveling to Saudi Arabia without a valid visa.
In a tweet, Omar Abdullah expressed solidarity with the affected pilgrims and urged the Centre to take immediate action to restore the quota. “Urging the Centre to intervene and restore the cancelled Hajj quota. This is a matter of great distress for our pilgrims who have worked hard to save for this sacred journey. We expect the Centre to take swift action,” he said.
Mehbooba Mufti also echoed Omar Abdullah’s sentiments, calling for the Centre to take immediate action to resolve the issue. “The Centre must intervene and ensure that the quota is restored. This is not just a matter of numbers, but also about the emotional well-being of our pilgrims who have been left in a state of uncertainty,” she said.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with Saudi Arabia to restore the quota. “I request the Prime Minister to take up this matter with Saudi Arabia and ensure that the quota is restored. This is a matter of great importance for our pilgrims and the Centre must take immediate action to resolve the issue,” he said.
The cancellation of the Hajj slots has also sparked concerns about the potential impact on the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. The state’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, and the cancellation of the Hajj slots is likely to have a significant impact on the industry.
In addition to the economic concerns, the cancellation of the Hajj slots has also raised questions about the Centre’s ability to protect the interests of Indian pilgrims. The move has sparked concerns about the potential risks involved in traveling to Saudi Arabia, and many have expressed fears about the potential risks involved in traveling to a foreign country without a valid visa.
The Centre has so far remained silent on the issue, with no official statement being issued on the cancellation of the Hajj slots. However, the Jammu and Kashmir government has assured the affected pilgrims that it is working to resolve the issue and restore the quota.
The cancellation of the Hajj slots is a major setback for Indian pilgrims who were looking forward to performing the sacred pilgrimage. The move has left thousands of pilgrims in a state of uncertainty, with many having already made arrangements for their pilgrimage. The Centre must take immediate action to resolve the issue and restore the quota to ensure that the pilgrims are not left in a state of distress.
