Muslims Welcome Elimination of Haj Subsidy

The Supreme Court direction to the Central government, for the gradual elimination of Haj subsidy within a period of 10 years should be welcomed by all Muslims with earnestness.  Among the five pillars of Islam, Haj and Zakat are obligatory only for the rich Muslims.  Therefore, there is no justification in the government’s giving of sops to the Haj pilgrims in the form of subsidy.  However, the government should seriously contemplate upon implementing the suggestions made by Rajinder Sachar Committee and Ranganath Misra Commission – to bring a large majority of the Muslim community which is languishing with socio-economic backwardness into the national mainstream.  

The Muslims in the country have great expectations from the Supreme Court too.  They expect the apex court to take cognisance of survey indices reflecting the Muslims’ backwardness – and give directions to the ruling class, for effecting suitable constitutional amendments in the Parliament for providing reservation for the community in the educational and employment spheres, as has been done to SC/ST and OBC communities.   

Syed Sultan Mohiddin

Kadapa, A.P.