Pandemic forces decline in India Hajj pilgrims

Owing to Covid-19 pandemic, only 51,000 applications were received for Hajj 2021 while it was 2,13,000 last year. Application for the Hajj pilgrimage can be submitted till January 10. Earlier, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the government looks forward to vaccinate every Hajj pilgrim from India.

New Delhi: Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the sharp decline of Hajj applications. Hajj Committee of India has received only 51,000 applications for 2021 while it was 2,13,000 last year.

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, Hajj Committee of India (HCI) CEO, Maqsood Ahmed Khan, said, "Till now, we have received applications from more than 51,000 pilgrims and the process for submission of applications form for Hajj 2021 has been extended to January 10."

Meanwhile, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday held a meeting with Hajj Committee of India officials and said that arrangements are being made to vaccinate every Hajj pilgrim from India.

He also added that the deadline of submission of application would not be extended further. Usually, we extend the date as per the request from the state government. There was no such request and we would not extend the date to increase the number of pilgrims, said Maqsood Ahmed Khan.

Speaking about the reasons behind the decreased number of applications for Hajj 2021, he said that due to the pandemic we are not taking application from those who are not above the age of 18 years or who have completed 65 years of age on or before November 7, 2020.

Notably, the quota for Hajj 2021 has not been decided yet and the Ministry of Minority Affairs is yet to receive a confirmation on the number of pilgrims for Hajj 2021.

"India has a quota of two lakh Hajj pilgrims but due to restrictions imposed on travel amid pandemic, the number of pilgrims who will be allowed to travel for Hajj 2021 will be around 50,000 only," said an official on the condition of anonymity.

After the consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, HCI has also decided to reduce the number of Hajj embarkation points to 10, earlier there were 21 Hajj embarkation points across the country.

The estimated cost for Hajj pilgrim after reduction is approximately Rs 3,30,000 for Ahmedabad and Mumbai embarkation points; approximately Rs 3,50,000 for Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad embarkation points; approximately Rs 3,60,000 for Cochin and Srinagar embarkation points; approximately Rs 3,70,000 for Kolkata embarkation point and approximately Rs 4,00,000 for Guwahati embarkation points.