PIL on Haj subsidy filed in HC

A PIL was filed in the Delhi High Court against the Centre's decision to restrict pilgrims to avail government subsidy to perform Haj once in a life time as against the earlier policy of availing the benefit once in every five years.
A division bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice V K Jain today posted the matter for March 20, saying a similar issue is pending before the Supreme Court which will hear it on March 19.
On January 18, the external affairs ministry had directed the Haj Committee of India to amend the guidelines for Haj pilgrims.

According to the new guidelines, all persons undertaking the pilgrimage will have to submit an affidavit with the application that they are going for the first time for the pilgrimage.
As per the new rules, men who accompany women pilgrims to perform Haj also cannot avail the government subsidy.
Appearing for the government, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Rajeeve Mehra said the decision has been taken to give opportunities to those who have never performed Haj before.

Filing the petition through counsel Sabir Hussain, petitioner Pahchan Welfare Society, a registered society, submitted that "the impugned restrictions and instructions and guidelines in the Haj application form are in contravention of the fundamental rights and also directive principles of state policy of the Constitution".

"The impugned restrictions and guidelines in the Haj application form, have a direct and inevitable effect on liberty and religious sentiments of the entire community in the country. It is gross violation of the constitution," the petition stated.
Demanding quashing of the government's direction, the plea sought treating of companions of male pilgrims, 70 years and above, and female pilgrims, as exceptions and not to impose any restrictions on them.