The Narendra Modi government on Tuesday announced that it was ending the practice of providing subsidy to Muslims for Haj pilgrimage. Announcing the move, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said a record number of 1.75 lakh Muslims will undertake the pilgrimage this year from India without the subsidy.
The move is in accordance with a 2012 order of the Supreme Court which had directed the government to gradually eliminate the subsidy before 2022.
A Bench of Justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai had also quoted from the Holy Quran which mandates Haj pilgrimage only for those who are able to afford expenses for travel, food and stay.
The government's decision has been welcomed by all, especially the Muslim community.
Here are some of the tweets welcoming the move:
