Rs10,000 Airfare Hike for Haj Pilgrims Sparks Protest A sudden increase of Rs10,000 in airfare per pilgrim for this year’s Haj pilgrimage has ignited widespread frustration among applicants, prompting the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s Nagpur unit to organize a protest against the decision. The Haj flights, which began on April 24, have already transported a significant portion of the pilgrims to Mecca, with approximately 1.75 lakh individuals from across the country participating in the pilgrimage this year. As of April 28, nearly 50% of these pilgrims had reached Mecca via Medina, though the additional airfare charge has drawn sharp criticism. The protest was led by Atique Qureshi, the general secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s Nagpur unit, who condemned the hike as “unjustified and condemnable.” He highlighted that airfare agreements between the Haj Committee of India and airlines are typically finalized six to seven months in advance, making the abrupt increase inappropriate. Qureshi emphasized that many pilgrims are accompanied by four to five family members, and the Rs10,000 per-person charge has significantly burdened their finances. Some families, he noted, are struggling to cover the extra costs at short notice, as earning members have already reached Mecca. A delegation from Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Nagpur visited the Divisional Commissioner’s office to formally register their objections. The delegation included prominent figures such as Hafiz Masood, Haji Mohammad Shoaib Rana, Haji Mohammad Sameer, Haji Mohammad Zahid, and Shahbaz Akhtar. Qureshi urged the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India to reconsider the decision and provide immediate relief to affected pilgrims.#haj_committee_of_india #jamiat_ulema_e_hind #atique_qureshi #hafiz_masood #haji_mohammad_shoaib_rana
