 "First batch of Telangana Haj pilgrims get ready for departure from Haj house in Hyderabad on Tuesday, 1 September 2015 Picture by PTI")
In a major decision, the central government on Tuesday decided to end the subsidy given to thousands of Muslims for the annual Haj pilgrimage -- an issue which the BJP had always called a means of appeasement.
Announcing the decision, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it was in line with the BJP government's agenda to empower minorities without appeasing them.
"This is part of our policy to empower minorities with dignity and without appeasement," Naqvi told reporters here.
He said the government would utilise the funds saved from withdrawing the subsidy for education of minorities, particularly girls.
