Haj subsidy for 1.25 lakh pilgrims in India

[bubble123]

The only rule is you should not go if u have a debt. GOI doesn't give this as loan. it is free. It is a reduction in rate. GOI has been doing it for quite a long time. In olden days they used to arrange ships.

You maybe right as i am not aware to the solution of this masla. Still it doesn't feel right, i mean its sort of against the spirit of Hajj even if it is not explicitly against the Islamic rules.

Zakat(obligatory charity), Hajj are only for those who can afford them. If you are not rich enough for these things its fine there is no sin for that.

 

[scrumpy]

From what I read some time back, the entire Haj subsidy is actually a subsidy to keep Air India running. Air India was the only airline which was allowed to fly Hajis to and fro from Mecca.

In my opinion, the money we spend on all the various Gods in India(all religions) would be much better spent for building new age temples ie. Schools, Hospitals, Factories, Drinking water sources, etc.

 

[Tshering22]

Folks irritated that other religions aren't offered similar sops should take it up with the concerned authorities.Why rant on Muslims over it;They were offered a subsidy and they took it.Nothing more,nothing less.

No one is ranting on Muslims except some who're worshipping and encouraging this discriminative practise.

 

[cyphercide]

Haj is only meant only for those who can afford it.

Oh so now you are the concerned authority to talk to on which Muslim gets to go Haj,Especially after rant #20.Lolz

 

[Evil Flare]

by the way Haj is not compulsory in Islam if a person cannot afford so why subsidy ? & the other issue is that do GOI also paid to other religious communities from pilgrimage ?

 

[Donatello]

This is being done to pacify the Muslims in India, before the next elections.......why not give such subsidies to all the religious people performing pilgrimages in India????

 

[Bhairava]

Not quite Amarnath is in J&K at most 3,400km (Kerala-J&K). Mecca is 4,000+ km (Delhi-Mecca) not to mention it could be more dependant on where in India you depart. Not to mention getting to Mecca is obviously much harder and more expensive than getting to somewhere in India.

That doesn't matter.

Its the intents that matters and the will to treat every community on par that matters. On that scale this decision receives exactly ...0/10.

Come on guys, its a small amount of money to show to our minorities that their country cares for them. Its not a huge amount. Imagine the goodwill that comes through this in our largest minority. There's no bigger event in a Muslim's life than going to mecca at least once. I appreciate GOI for helping out our fellow Muslims. And I am satisfied with the return on investment.

Are you sure none of the IM members never used the facility ?

My simple question - why the heck in a secular country should Govt money be used for personal benefit of a particular community and why NOT extend the same to other communities also ?

 

[cyphercide]

No one is ranting on Muslims except some who're worshipping and encouraging this discriminative practise.

Indian Muslims would have the most to complain going by that logic.Do you know many temples are under direct government care,funds and maintenance? So I don't think we retain the right for crying foul over discriminatory practices.

 

[JohnyD]

It happens only in India..

 

[Bhairava]

We should not forget the huge NRI remittances we get from GULF. Government cant give jobs to them. Remember in 80s and 90s we use to have huge naxal issues in southern states. Now all this youth are empolyed in Gulf and sending money to india. So if sending their parents to Haj is what they want we should give that.

Errrr..Whats the relation to some people working in Gulf and GoI spending money?

Yeah they do remit foreign exchane. But do they do it for Government's sake? They do it for their personal use. Govt does NOT force them to remit. And if they are remitting valuable forex why dont they utiize that to do Haj ? Why borrow from the Government.?

Try as you might this is a politically inclined move to secure the votes of the largest but (sorry to say) the most easily misled minority in India.

Indian Muslims would have the most to complain going by that logic.Do you know many temples are under direct government care,funds and maintenance? So I don't think we retain the right for crying foul over discriminatory practices.

Ahh. I knew someone would come up with this 'gem'.

Yes there are temples under 'govt' maintenance. But do you know how much these temples contribute to the Govt coffers as its the Govt that is 'administering' the assets of the temple ? The Govt only gives back a fraction of what it receives from the temples for maintaining them. Actually I would support Govt laying off from these maintenance so that the temples can take care of themselves. Believe me they do have the funds.

But I dont see the Govt 'administering' the waqf assets. Again discrimination.

 

[pmukherjee]

We appreciate India for all its good actions, & condemn its bad ones. I have posted this thread to praise the efforts of the GOI. Unfortunately, a few members feel it is favoritism towards Indian Muslims, & it isn't deserved.

No it is not. India has many Muslims. Many of these Muslims are poor and can't afford international air travel. Islam recommends a pilgrimage to the birth place of Prophet Muhammad and other places associated with him. There is nothing wrong in subsidising air travel of poor Muslim Indians to Mecca. The rich and well to do Muslims do not need this as they can travel business class or first class. I am sorry but I can't compare an Indian Hindu traveling to Amarnath or Badrinath or Kashi with an India Muslim traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Anyway railway travel in India is highly subsidised as it is. A Hindu from Kerala traveling to Amarnath goes all the way to Jammu by train at a fraction of the actual cost. Thereafter, he eats at numerous 'Bhandaras' established en route by wealthy devotees totally free of cost right upto Pahalgam and even beyond. What more do we need? I have visited Amarnath more than once, believe me, it is not expensive at all. The only problem is the weather once one crosses Pahalgam and starts climbing the mountains. No amount of sarkari subsidies can ensure conducive weather conditions. And gaining the audience of the Almighty is never easy, one has to sweat at it. The sweat and the hardships faced en route purify our souls. Would I prefer a helicopter ride to Vaishnodevi or Amarnath? Never.
Just my opinion. As an Indian, I recognise that every Indian has a view.

 

[harpoon]

Oh so now you are the concerned authority to talk to on which Muslim gets to go Haj,Especially after rant #20.Lolz

I just said an ugly truth.

---------- Post added at 12:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 AM ----------

No it is not. India has many Muslims. Many of these Muslims are poor and can't afford international air travel. Islam recommends a pilgrimage to the birth place of Prophet Muhammad and other places associated with him. There is nothing wrong in subsidising air travel of poor Muslim Indians to Mecca. The rich and well to do Muslims do not need this as they can travel business class or first class. I am sorry but I can't compare an Indian Hindu traveling to Amarnath or Badrinath or Kashi with an India Muslim traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Anyway railway travel in India is highly subsidised as it is. A Hindu from Kerala traveling to Amarnath goes all the way to Jammu by train at a fraction of the actual cost. Thereafter, he eats at numerous 'Bhandaras' established en route by wealthy devotees totally free of cost right upto Pahalgam and even beyond. What more do we need? I have visited Amarnath more than once, believe me, it is not expensive at all. The only problem is the weather once one crosses Pahalgam and starts climbing the mountains. No amount of sarkari subsidies can ensure conducive weather conditions. And gaining the audience of the Almighty is never easy, one has to sweat at it. The sweat and the hardships faced en route purify our souls. Would I prefer a helicopter ride to Vaishnodevi or Amarnath? Never.
Just my opinion. As an Indian, I recognise that every Indian has a view.

Its not the job of the Indian Govt to send Indian Muslims to Mecca.Period.

As for subsidized railway travel its for everybody not only for Hindu devotees.

 

[53fd]

No it is not. India has many Muslims. Many of these Muslims are poor and can't afford international air travel. Islam recommends a pilgrimage to the birth place of Prophet Muhammad and other places associated with him. There is nothing wrong in subsidising air travel of poor Muslim Indians to Mecca. The rich and well to do Muslims do not need this as they can travel business class or first class. I am sorry but I can't compare an Indian Hindu traveling to Amarnath or Badrinath or Kashi with an India Muslim traveling to Saudi Arabia.
Anyway railway travel in India is highly subsidised as it is. A Hindu from Kerala traveling to Amarnath goes all the way to Jammu by train at a fraction of the actual cost. Thereafter, he eats at numerous 'Bhandaras' established en route by wealthy devotees totally free of cost right upto Pahalgam and even beyond. What more do we need? I have visited Amarnath more than once, believe me, it is not expensive at all. The only problem is the weather once one crosses Pahalgam and starts climbing the mountains. No amount of sarkari subsidies can ensure conducive weather conditions. And gaining the audience of the Almighty is never easy, one has to sweat at it. The sweat and the hardships faced en route purify our souls. Would I prefer a helicopter ride to Vaishnodevi or Amarnath? Never.
Just my opinion. As an Indian, I recognise that every Indian has a view.

You are one of the best Indian posters here, & it's a pleasure reading your posts sir.

 

[kanpur]

But Bharat is a Hindu country as I have been told countless times. Why is GOI doing this?

WHERE ARE YOU PERSON WHO SAYS BHARAT IS A HINDU COUNTRY MY FALSE FLAGGER PAL.

 

[cyphercide]

Ahh. I knew someone would come up with this 'gem'.

Yes there are temples under 'govt' maintenance. But do you know how much these temples contribute to the Govt coffers as its the Govt that is 'administering' the assets of the temple ? The Govt only gives back a fraction of what it receives from the temples for maintaining them. Actually I would support Govt laying off from these maintenance so that the temples can take care of themselves. Believe me they do have the funds.

But I dont see the Govt 'administering' the waqf assets. Again discrimination.

Hey Gounder,

Really?Far as I know temple administrations have been accused of blatant monopolism,rampant tax evasion,misuse of government funds and security etc. and so I am glad that the Waqf takes care of itself and doesn't look to the government for funds.Anyway,since we last spoke and you came off as something of a turnip in my opinion,I am going to keep the replies to a minimum.

Regards