Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday reiterated his Government’s commitment towards waging a relentless struggle against the divisive forces. He said people who professed the Samajwadi (socialist) ideology have always been in the forefront of the fight against social evils.
Flagging off the first batch of Haj pilgrims from the State at the Maulana Ali Mian Haj House here, he warned the divisive forces and said the Samajwadi Party Government will always fight against those who were out to create fissures in the society.
Wishing the travellers for the success of their Haj pilgrimage, Mr. Yadav said all religions gave the message of unity and happiness. He urged the Haj pilgrims to pray for the welfare of the country and the State.
Present on the occasion was the Urban Development Minority Welfare and Haj Minister Mohammad Azam Khan who was making an appearance at a public function at Lucknow after about a month. Mr. Khan had boycotted the Urdu Academy awards function and the programme to mark the unveiling of Janeshwar Mishra Park, which was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh in the first week of August.
His absence from the two high-profile functions sparked off rumours that he was unhappy with the party leadership over the manner in which it tackled the affairs related to the elections in the Shia Waqf Board. The Chief Minister, however, tried to bury the controversy when, at a recent function in Kannauj, he described Mr. Khan as an important pillar of the party. The Urban Development Minister presided over a loan distribution function in his home town, Rampur, a couple of days ago. Public Works Department and Irrigation Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav was the chief guest.
In his address at the Haj House function, Mr. Khan lauded Mr. Yadav for the steps taken to inculcate a feeling of brotherhood in the society and ameliorate the sufferings of the people. Maintenance of peace and justice for all sections was the first duty of the Government, he said.
The Rector of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema, Maulana Syed Mohammad Rabey Hasni Nadwi, and the Imam of Aishbagh Idgah, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, were also present in the function.
Later, the first batch of 350 Haj travellers left by a flight from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Amausi airport) here. The second batch of 350 pilgrims left by an evening flight.
This year’s provisional quota of Haj travellers from Uttar Pradesh finalised by the Haj Committee of India is 25,910. According to an official spokesman, 10,507 Haj travellers will leave on 32 flights from New Delhi, 11,035 on 31 flights from Lucknow and 4368 pilgrims will leave from Varanasi aboard 15 flights.
