Haj subsidy for 1.25 lakh pilgrims in India

[Bhairava]

No it is not. India has many Muslims. Many of these Muslims are poor and can't afford international air travel. Islam recommends a pilgrimage to the birth place of Prophet Muhammad and other places associated with him. There is nothing wrong in subsidising air travel of poor Muslim Indians to Mecca. The rich and well to do Muslims do not need this as they can travel business class or first class. I am sorry but I can't compare an Indian Hindu traveling to Amarnath or Badrinath or Kashi with an India Muslim traveling to Saudi Arabia.

Anyway railway travel in India is highly subsidised as it is. A Hindu from Kerala traveling to Amarnath goes all the way to Jammu by train at a fraction of the actual cost. Thereafter, he eats at numerous 'Bhandaras' established en route by wealthy devotees totally free of cost right upto Pahalgam and even beyond. What more do we need? I have visited Amarnath more than once, believe me, it is not expensive at all. The only problem is the weather once one crosses Pahalgam and starts climbing the mountains. No amount of sarkari subsidies can ensure conducive weather conditions. And gaining the audience of the Almighty is never easy, one has to sweat at it. The sweat and the hardships faced en route purify our souls. Would I prefer a helicopter ride to Vaishnodevi or Amarnath? Never.
Just my opinion. As an Indian, I recognise that every Indian has a view.

Three questions -

Is the 'subsidization' of train travel only for pilgrims going to Amarnath or to every Indian going to every other place.? You make it sound as if its only for the Hindu pilgrims.

Why cant wealthy Muslim business men bear the same haj cost like the 'wealthy' Hindus ? Surely an Azim Premji can do much more.

If a Muslim thinks that his soul can be purified by visiting mecca on Govt money, will not the average Hindu or the Buddhist or the Sikh think the same ? In other words isnt the sweat and toil missing on the Muslim's part?

 

[Bhairava]

Hey Gounder,

Really? Far as I know temple administrations have been accused of blatant monopolism,rampant tax evasion,misuse of government funds and security etc. and so I am glad that the Waqf takes care of itself and doesn't look to the government for funds.Anyway,since we spoke and you came of something of turnip in my opinion,I am going to keep the replies to a minimum.

Regards

That is 'as far as you know' which may be completely hearsay and rumour .

The fact of the matter is Temple assets are being looted by the Govt and politicians in the name of 'administering' them and it would be better if the Govt stops its interference in Temple issues as it does with waqf assets or gurudwara properties.

No one wants the Govt to administer the assets. Even I strongly support Govt moving out of it as its nothing but a ruse to plunder the vast temple assets.

 

[Bhairava]

Anyway this is a useless topic to discuss in the face of the rampant pseudo-secularism that is rife in India, not only among the politicians but also among a certain section of the 'liberal' Hindus, who go by the misguided version that secularism is nothing but appeasement of minorities (and that too only a certain section of them).

As long as the true version of secularism - that is the state desisting from the interference in all religious matters and people are treated as Indians only and not majority/minority and sops not being provided based on religion - is implemented these farces will go on and the people who question this facade be questioned as 'communalists'.

I'm outta here.

 

[pmukherjee]

Three questions -

Is the 'subsidization' of train travel only for pilgrims going to Amarnath or to every Indian going to every other place.? You make it sound as if its only for the Hindu pilgrims.

Why cant wealthy Muslim business men bear the same haj cost like the 'wealthy' Hindus ? Surely an Azim Premji can do much more.

If a Muslim thinks that his soul can be purified by visiting mecca on Govt money, will not the average Hindu or the Buddhist or the Sikh think the same ? In other words isnt the sweat and toil missing on the Muslim's part?

I can't speak for the Muslims because I am not a Muslim. However, I have seen Kawarias walking bare foot all the way from Hardwar to their native village near Delhi in the blistering heat of North Indian summer. That with the weight of holy water on his shoulders. Many have heavily bandaged feet, most just limp along. But all of them smile. I have seen them walking on the hot roads of Delhi when they could easily have boarded the numerous buses plying along side. I have envied them as I could never do it.

Regarding the rail subsidies. No it is not for Hindus alone. But it gives our poor what they need. Maybe we should make it easier and cheaper for all Hindus living abroad to visit our holy shrines in India. That makes sense, don't you think?

 

[Sliver]

subsidies by any govt should be based on economic "affordability" of the people - not their religion

 

[harpoon]

subsidies by any govt should be based on economic "affordability" of the people - not their religion

Agree, but this subsidy should for the economic upliftment and not for the spiritual enlightenment which is not the duty of a secular govt.

 

[Kaniska]

I think a question need to be asked to friends who have good knowledge in Muslim religion?

1-Is it mandatory that visit to haj has to be performed by every individual?
2- How many muslin countries in this world sponsor HAJ trip for their citizens?
3- What about specifically Iran/Turkey/Egypt? Do these rich and powerful countries sponsor the money for HAJ piligrim to Mecca?