Author:
Publication: Rediff.com
Date: January 18, 2007
URL: http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/18haj.htm
The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's
reply on a petition challenging the Constitutional validity of the Haj Committee
Act, 1959 and the provision of annual financial assistance by the Government
to Muslims going on the pilgrimage.
The petition filed by Prafull Goradia, a businessman
alleged that the estimated Rs 280 crore annually incurred by the government
for funding the Haj pilgrimage was not only unconstitutional but was a severe
drain on the tax payers' money.
Goradia complained that provision of special
subsidy to the Muslim community to the exclusion of others like Hindus, Christians,
Buddhists and Sikhs was violative of the Constitution as the State cannot
discriminate between the citizens on the grounds of religion, caste or creed.
The petition quoted various provisions of
the Constitution, including Article 27, which provided, 'that no person shall
be compelled to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated
for the payment of expenses for the promotion and maintenance of any particular
religion."