In a landmark judgment, Supreme Court judges Aftab Alam and Ranjana Desai directed the government to first reduce, and then abolish in 10 years, the subsidy being handed out to Haj pilgrims. The ruling also pointed out that the `650 crore spent annually on this could be more purposefully utilised in pro-active measures like education for the social development of the minority community.
The ruling aims to do away with a practice that is a remnant of post-Partition thinking according to which placatory gestures had to be made to the Muslims remaining in India, who, incidentally, outnumber those living in Pakistan. Enlightened Muslims are convinced that accepting such a subsidy to perform a pilgrimage to the religion’s most revered sites is not in conformity with the edicts of Islam.
The argument that the funds were helping more to pep up Air India’s operations even as any number of government nominees got on as freeloaders every year is pertinent when it comes to supporting the need to abolish the practice. Curiously, opposition to the subsidy has been voiced more by Hindu elements seeking similar subsidies for pilgrimages to places like Kailash Mansarovar, which, clearly, is an argument for argument’s sake.
Fortunately, the subsidy has not provoked Christians to ask for concessions to go to Bethlehem or the Vatican, nor have Buddhists asked for handouts to go to Sarnath. No one performing a pilgrimage for religious purposes would like to compromise his or her principles.
To help the disadvantaged, particularly those from minority communities, find ways to shine in the mainstream is a noble aim. Let us do it by looking at ways towards national development which, in turn, lead to education and employment opportunities.