Those who believe religion and politics aren’t connected don’t understand either.
-Mahatma Gandhi
Those who believe that politics and religion do not mix, understand neither.
-Albert Einstein.
India- the country of religions as it is rightly called, is but majorly divided by politics. Indian Islamic scholars and Muslim politicians want immediate removal of the long given Hajj subsidy as it is used by Hindu right-wing groups and politicians to target Indian Muslims by polarizing Hindu voters as it is both non-existent and against Islam. Removal of the subsidy, which as such to the layman could have meant the start of riots for rights, turned out to be another issue altogether. It started in 2010 when the Minority Affairs Ministry formally opposed providing the subsidy for Hajj pilgrimage saying the scheme was contrary to the teachings of Islam. The Centre then informed the Supreme Court that it had decided to restrict Hajj pilgrimage at government subsidy to a ‘once in a lifetime’ affair as against the existing policy of ‘once in five years’. Hajj is one of the most complex organizational tasks undertaken by the Government of India outside its borders. Although a five-day religious congregation, it is virtually a year-long managerial exercise, majorly due to the management of subsidy.
The Hajj subsidy is a concession given to Indian Muslim Hajj pilgrims by the Government of India in the form of discounted Airfares. The subsidy initially applied to Indian Muslim pilgrims travelling for religious reasons. Hajj or pilgrimage to the Mecca is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. In 2012, the Supreme Court of India ordered that Hajj subsidy must end within 10 years, that is by 2022. It was found that Hajj by Indian Muslims is funded to a substantial extent by the Indian government. The Court ruled that the subsidy is not only unconstitutional but also inconsistent with the teachings of the Quran that states that only those who can afford the expenses (conveyance, provision and residence) owe it as a duty to Allah. The Draft Hajj Policy 2018-22, by a panel headed by former secretary Afzal Amanullah, recommends abolishing subsidy for Hajj pilgrims. Besides, it allows women devotees above 45 years of age to travel in a group of at least four without a male member. It also proposed bringing down the number of embarkation points from which pilgrims can take flights to Saudi Arabia from the present 21 to nine, which will considerably cut down government spending. The panel also suggested that purchasing of ‘Adahi’ or animal sacrifice coupons should be mandatory and compulsory for all pilgrims. It proposed to abolish reserved category quota for pilgrims above 70 years of age and a decrease in Hajj Committee of India quota. Up until now, women devotees could not travel without a male Mehram. The term Mehram refers to a male, a woman cannot marry at any time in her life (her father, son or brother). Women aged below 45, however, will have to be accompanied by male Mehrams, according to the policy. As proposed, the quota for Mehrams will increase from 200 to 500. The cut in funds meant for the subsidy would be used for educational empowerment and welfare of Muslims. Welfare in terms of health and other areas for the upliftment of the sect. Pilgrims could use ships, that would be less expensive than flights. The Saudi government will be consulted regarding Hajj travel by ship and thereafter floating an expression of interest to gauge the market for such travel. The aim is to rationalize the distribution of the Hajj quota between the Hajj Committee of India and private tour operators in the ratio 70:30 for the next 5 years by the time they expect to completely abolish the subsidy. It stresses on breaking the cartel of contractors with a transparent bidding process. India has an annual Hajj quota of 1.70 lakh devotees. The policy also proposes to ensure the stay of all Indian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia within Mina, which is a neighbourhood of Mecca and is situated 5 kilometres to its east. Thus, reducing travelling factor within it.
Hindu groups argue that a government-sponsored Hajj subsidy forcibly taxes Hindus to pay for Muslim religious pilgrimages, and is tantamount to appeasement of Islam. Similarly, Christians argue that there is no subsidy provided to them for their religious pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Nor is any kind of subsidy provided to the Sikhs. Thus, the sooner the Hajj Policy comes into action, the better it is. The subsidy, apart from being against the spirit of the Constitution as it promotes communalism, is also said to be against the spirit of Islam. Muslim leaders themselves argue that Hajj subsidy is un-Islamic and that Hajj money should be invested in education and health instead. It is thus in the best interest of the majority that the draft policy allowing the central government to substantially reduce the subsidy is quashed altogether within a year.
-Aditi Goel