The ministry has directed pilgrims to make an additional payment of around ₹10,000 by May 15, even as many had already completed payments in full through instalments over several months
NEW DELHI — A fresh controversy has erupted over the management of Haj operations after the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, headed by Kiren Rijiju, issued a late-stage circular increasing costs for Indian pilgrims, triggering strong protests from the opposition and community organisations. In the absence of the Central Haj Committee, all the Haj operations for the Muslim sacred journey are being looked at by the ministry officials.
On April 28, the ministry directed every Haj pilgrim to make an additional payment—reportedly around ₹10,000—by May 15, even as many had already completed payments in full through instalments over several months. The decision came midway through the ongoing Haj process, with some pilgrims already in Saudi Arabia.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from the main opposition Congress, which termed the hike “arbitrary” and “burdensome,” particularly for elderly pilgrims and middle-income families who save for years to undertake the religious pilgrimage.
Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain has formally written to the minister, questioning the timing and justification of the additional charge. In his letter, he said the demand was made “without prior notice, without consultation, and without justification commensurate with its timing,” adding that pilgrims were being treated “as a revenue consideration rather than as citizens entitled to dignity.”
The controversy has also reignited debate over the rising cost of Haj under the current administration led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Critics argue that airfare and package costs have surged sharply, allegedly nearing double the price of comparable routes in the open market.
The overall Haj package has not doubled, but the airfare component has risen sharply this year, with a sudden Rs10,000 hike mid-process triggering controversy. In 2025, the government Haj package cost was about Rs3.9 to 4 lakh per pilgrim, with airfare ranging from roughly Rs90,000 to Rs1.4 lakh, bringing the total for most pilgrims to around Rs4–5 lakh under the Haj Committee scheme. For 2026, the base airfare was initially fixed between Rs89,900 and Rs1.65 lakh depending on the city, with the total package estimated at Rs4.2–5.0 lakh. However, the additional Rs10,000 charge—amounting to about a 10–11% increase in airfare—has pushed the effective cost to around Rs1.0–1.75 lakh for airfare and approximately Rs4.3–5.1 lakh or more overall.
For a regular (non-Haj) Delhi–Jeddah return ticket, fares are significantly lower than Haj charter flight rates, with the cheapest tickets typically around Rs33,000–35,000 and most bookings falling in the range of Rs 35,000 to Rs 55,000, depending on the season and airline.
For many families, Haj represents a once-in-a-lifetime religious obligation, often funded through years of savings. “This is not luxury expenditure,” Hussain wrote, underscoring the financial strain on couples and elderly pilgrims.
The government has cited rising fuel costs as the reason for the additional charge. However, opposition leaders have questioned the move, noting that broader claims of fuel price stability appear inconsistent with the sudden imposition of a targeted surcharge on pilgrims.
Adding to the concerns is the reported absence of a functional Haj Committee of India since March 2025, with all operations currently being handled directly by the ministry. Critics allege this has led to lapses in planning, pricing transparency, and institutional accountability. A video circulating on social media purportedly shows Indian pilgrims in Makkah facing overcrowding and poor sanitation conditions in the Azizia buildings, where many are accommodated.
Taking note of the situation, the All India Milli Council also criticised the Central Haj Committee and the Ministry of Minority Affairs. It condemned the sudden, steep hike in fares as “cruelty” towards pilgrims and called for its immediate rollback.
The Congress has argued that the surcharge reflects deeper systemic issues, including the lack of competitive tendering, the absence of price-stabilisation mechanisms, and inadequate contingency planning.
The opposition party has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the April 28 circular, a full refund of the additional amount collected, and structural reforms ahead of the 2027 Haj season. These include introducing competitive bidding processes and establishing a formal price-stability framework.
As the debate intensifies, the issue has put a spotlight on governance practices in managing religious pilgrimages, with growing calls for greater transparency and accountability in decisions affecting thousands of Indian citizens.
