J&K Leaders Urge Centre to Act on 52,000 Hajj Slot Cut
In a significant development, leaders from ruling and opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir have come together to urge the Centre to take swift action to address the distress caused by Saudi Arabia’s cancellation of 52,000 Hajj slots for Indian pilgrims. The move has been met with widespread criticism and concern among the Muslim population in the region, who rely heavily on the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti were among the first to speak out against the decision, calling for the Centre to intervene and resolve the issue at the earliest. NC President Farooq Abdullah also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with Saudi Arabia to restore the quota.
The decision to cancel the 52,000 Hajj slots was announced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Saturday, citing a significant increase in the number of Indian pilgrims. The move has left thousands of Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, and across India, in a state of distress and uncertainty.
The cancellation of the slots has also raised concerns about the financial implications for the pilgrims, many of whom have been saving for years to make the journey to Mecca. The Hajj pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many Muslims, and the cancellation of the slots has left many feeling disappointed and frustrated.
CM Omar Abdullah took to social media to express his concern over the issue, saying that the Centre must intervene to resolve the matter. “Can’t believe the news! 52,000 Hajj slots cancelled! @PMOIndia must intervene immediately to resolve this issue. Can’t allow our citizens to be left in the lurch,” he tweeted.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also echoed similar sentiments, urging the Centre to take immediate action to address the issue. “It’s unacceptable that 52,000 Hajj slots have been cancelled. @PMOIndia must intervene immediately to resolve this issue. Can’t allow our citizens to be left in distress,” she tweeted.
NC President Farooq Abdullah also appealed to PM Modi to speak with Saudi Arabia to restore the quota. “I request @narendramodi ji to please speak to Saudi Arabia and try to restore the 52000 Hajj slots that have been cancelled. It’s a matter of great distress for our people,” he tweeted.
The cancellation of the slots has also raised questions about the preparedness of the Indian government to handle the situation. With thousands of pilgrims already in the process of making arrangements for the Hajj, the cancellation of the slots has left many feeling helpless and uncertain about their future plans.
The Indian government has so far maintained a silence on the issue, with no official statement or response from the Ministry of Minority Affairs or the Ministry of External Affairs. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has also not provided any clear explanation for the cancellation of the slots, leaving many to speculate about the reasons behind the decision.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the Centre will take swift action to address the issue and restore the quota for Indian pilgrims. With thousands of lives affected, it is imperative that the government takes immediate action to resolve the crisis and ensure that the pilgrims are able to perform their sacred duty.
