Srinagar: After reports of an abrupt 80% cut in India’s private Hajj quota, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti urged the external affairs ministry to take up the matter with authorities in Riyadh as she called the development to be ‘disturbing.’
The move caused distress to the pilgrims and tour operators, she claimed. “Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India’s private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution,” Mehbooba wrote on X.
The office of Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah also called the reported cancellation of Hajj as deeply concerning. Many of the pilgrims have already paid for the Hajj.
“I urge Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities at the earliest to explore a resolution in the interest of all affected pilgrims. This measure is crucial to ease the distress of thousands hoping to undertake the sacred pilgrimage this year,” it said on X.
Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India’s private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country.
Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately…— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 13, 2025
Fate of around 52,000 Indian Hajj pilgrims hangs in balance after Saudi Arabia cancelled zones in Mina that were previously allocated to private tour operators, claimed a Times of India report.
Know the Hajj 2025 dates
Hajj is likely to be held between June 4 and June 9, 2025, depending on the moon sighting. According to the moon sighting, the start of Zil-Hajj, the final month of the Islamic calendar, is decided. Indian pilgrims are expected to begin travelling to Saudi Arabia by late April.
In India, Hajj travel is organised either by the Hajj Committee of India, which functions under the ministry of minority affairs. It is also authorised by private tour operators , also referred to as Hajj Group Organisers.
In January 2025, India secured a Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia. During that agreement, a pilgrimage quota of 1,75,025 for Indian pilgrims was confirmed.
