Sir — This refers to the editorial, “The pilgrim’s progress” (January 18). The Modi Government’s decision to scrap subsidy to Haj pilgrims is politically and religiously motivated and reflects on how the BJP Government discriminates against religious minorities. Subsidy to Kumbh Mela, Kashi, Mansarovar and Amarnath pilgrims is not touched upon till date.
Double standards adopted by the BJP are writ large on the lack of parity in matters of giving subsidy to all religious communities. Nobody moots the idea of doing away with all religious subsidies. Nevertheless, the question whether the followers of the predominant religion can be treated as more privileged citizens than the rest of the population in a secular democracy cannot be left unasked. Secularism requires that the state is neutral to all faiths.
To say that the money hitherto spent on Haj subsidy will be utilised for education and welfare measures of Muslim women and girls is to undermine the importance attached to the Haj pilgrimage. In effect, the withdrawal of Haj subsidy will render it impossible for poor Muslims to undertake Haj to Mecca and Medina. It is hard to understand how the talks being held with Riyadh to work out modalities of sea travel to make Haj affordable for poor Muslims will not be ‘appeasement’, but ‘empowerment’.