Row over Rs 10,000 airfare hike for Haj pilgrims, govt cites Iran war impact

A decision by the Haj Committee, which functions under the Minority Affairs Ministry, to raise the Haj airfare by Rs 10,000 amid a sharp rise in ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) prices due to the Iran conflict has sparked outrage among pilgrims and invited demands from the opposition for a rollback. A government circular said the one-time airfare revision was necessary due to the prevailing situation in the Middle East.

Global ATF prices have more than doubled since the Iran war began on February 28. Now, ATF prices normally account for 30-40% of an airline's operating cost. The rise in prices has hit the operations of several airlines.

"The revised airfare entails an additional amount of USD 100 per pilgrim, irrespective of embarkation point, to be borne by the pilgrims," the Haj Committee circular said. It further said that all pilgrims embarking on Haj this year must deposit Rs 10,000 towards the differential airfare by May 15.

Haj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The airfare increase, however, has not gone down well with the pilgrims. The opposition, too, has lent its weight behind them, calling the increase an "injustice".

Leading the charge, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi urged the Centre to revoke the circular, calling the extra Rs 10,000 charge nothing but exploitation.

"This is despite collecting Rs 90,844 per pilgrim a couple of months ago, departing from Mumbai Embarkation Point. This is almost double the prevalent rates for individual travellers," Owaisi tweeted.

"Are pilgrims being punished for going through the Haj Committee? Most pilgrims are not wealthy; they save money for years to be able to go to Haj. This is not a luxury for them," he further said.

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi questioned the need for the government to hike the airfare right before the Haj pilgrimage.

"When the full fare was already fixed in advance, why was this increase imposed at the very last moment?," Pratapgarhi said.

'PROTECTED FROM LARGER BURDEN'

As the row escalated, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stepped in to clarify the government's move. Rijiju said airlines had initially demanded $300-$400 extra per pilgrim due to the spike in ATF prices. However, the government negotiated the increase to just $100.

"We also can't blame airlines for the rise in ATF price... The decision was taken transparently, in good faith, to ensure no disruption in the Haj operations," Rijiju tweeted.

The Minority Affairs Ministry also issued a detailed clarification over "exploitation" claims by the opposition. It stated that the government's intervention ensured pilgrims saved $200-$300.

"This is not exploitation. This is the government absorbing pressure and protecting pilgrims from a far larger burden," it said.

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