A cross section of people from the Muslim community cautiously welcomed the move to scrap Haj subsidy, while others termed its removal as discriminatory.
Much like Hyderabad parliamentarian president Asaduddin Owaisi, All India Muslim Personal Law Board secretary and spokesperson Khalid Saifullah Rahmani pointed out that other communities too have been recipients of similar funds from the government.
He, however, termed the removal of subsidy as ‘unjust’, ‘undemocratic’ and ‘discriminatory’.
“The subsidy is compliant with the Constitution and a judgement of Justice Katju in this connection is available,” Maulana Rahmani said in a statement.
A Telangana State Haj Committee official requesting anonymity pointed out that last year the flight component was ₹ 62,065 whereas the prevailing airfare was around ₹ 48,000.
“While the final Haj package has not been announced yet, the removal of the subsidy means that several pilgrims could face trouble as they will have to pay more money for the pilgrimage,” he said.
