Author: B N Shukla
Publication: The Times of India
Date: November 19, 2006
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1973657.cms
Introduction: It was pending before the HC
for 11 years. The government never replied to the notices.
(B N Shukla, Petitioner against haj subsidy)
Indeed, the subsidy should be withdrawn. First,
because it's against constitutional norms and second because it's increasing
the gap between the Muslims and people of other faith. Articles 14, 15 and
17 of the Constitution provide equal status to all Indians.
These articles also restrict the government
from giving benefits to a particular faith at the cost of others. But every
year, the government spends over Rs 300 crore on over one lakh Hajis. Special
flights are run. AC Haj houses have been built across the country.
They are provided free food and lodging during
their trip. However, no such subsidy is given to others. A Hindu do-es not
get a subsidy to visit Amarnath or Mansarovar. Sik-hs don't get special assistance
to visit Nankana Sahib.
Buddhists get no help for visiting Sarnath
and Christians, too, do not get anything to visit Ro-me. Then why only Muslims?
The reason: all the political parties believe in vote bank politics. Critics
may say special arrangements are made by the government for Kumbh Mela, Amarnath
yatra etc.
But the fact is, the government only looks
after the administrative arrangements, which it does for all festivals irrespective
of religion. It's the duty of the government to maintain law and order. Every
visitor to Kumbh Mela has to buy a ticket. The free kitchens are run privately.
Special trains and buses are run for Kumbh
Mela, but people have to buy tickets for travelling. It's not subsidised.
Even Islamic countries do not give subsidies for Haj.
There would have been no issue if similar
subsidies were given to non-Muslims, including those whose religious plac-es
are situated outside India. In fact, I'm not in favour of any subsidy for
pilgrimage to anybody because it puts a huge pressure on the exchequer.
Some may argue that the Haj subsidy is actually
a discount, as the government-owned airlines get bulk business. Then why is
such a discount not given to others who travel in large numbers during their
pilgrimage season? Haj subsidy is only for Muslim appeasement.
Politicians are out to appease them. It's
evident from the way they organise iftar parties. Ironically, no one is ever
seen hosting lunches for little girls during Navratri.
My writ petition was filed in '95, when two
of my friends were killed in a landslide on their way to Mansarovar. Th-at's
when I realised that the go-vernment makes no arrangements for Hindu pilgrims.
It was pending before the HC for 11 years.
The government never replied to the notices. Now that a interim order has
been issued, there is a flutter.
- As told to Ashish Tripathi
