NEW DELHI – The Indian government’s decision on revoking Hajj Policylink>hasno meaning as there was no such concession and Muslims were being cheatedin its name, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said Tuesday,PTI Has reported.

“The subsidy was not given to those going on Haj but it was for Air Indiathat is running in losses. It was an eyewash. Muslims were cheated in thename of the subsidy,” said AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani.

“In normal days, tickets for Saudi Arabia come for Rs 32,000 but duringHaj, Air India used to charge Rs 65,000 to Rs 1 lakh from those going forHaj. The fare will be less without subsidy,” he said.

“Haj-bound Muslims are bulk purchasers of Air India tickets and so theirfare should be less. It’s rule of International Air Transport Associationthat if anyone is going for pilgrimage, he will be given 40% discount. Ifthe fare is not less, it should at least the same as on normal days,” hesaid.

All India Shia Personal Law Board Chairman Yasoob Abbas, on the other hand,said the board favoured subsidy on Haj.

“The government used to give subsidy to reduce loss of Air India. If theamount is now spent on education of Muslim children, it will be good butthe poor who used to go to Haj will not do so now,” he said.

Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury said that Haj subsidy shouldnot be revoked completely and facilities for those going for the annualpilgrimage should be increased.

Earlier in the day, Union minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqviannounced in Delhi that there will be no subsidy for Haj from this year andsaid the move was part of the government’s efforts to “empower minorities”without appeasement.

A record number of 1.75 lakh Muslims will undertake the pilgrimage thisyear from India, he said, adding the government had spent over Rs 250 crorelast year on subsidising the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Saudi Arabia.

The decision is in line with a 2012 Supreme Court order, asking thegovernment to do away with the subsidy, which had long been sought by theBJP.

The BJP had cited the subsidy as an example of “Muslim appeasement” byparties such as the Congress.