Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Quota Cut Leaves Indian Pilgrims in Distress: Leaders Call for MEA Action

Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Quota Cut Leaves Indian Pilgrims in Distress: Leaders Call for MEA Action

Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti Express Concern Over Pilgrim Distress

Srinagar, 13 April 2025:  A Sudden Decision Sparks Outrage

Saudi Arabia’s abrupt decision to cut India’s private Hajj quota by 80% has caused widespread distress among pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti have expressed grave concern over the move, urging Union Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar to engage with Saudi authorities to seek a resolution.

Leaders’ Statements

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Omar Abdullah’s office highlighted the plight of over 52,000 Indian pilgrims whose Hajj slots have reportedly been canceled despite many having completed payments. “The reported cancellation of Hajj slots for over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning,” the statement read. Abdullah called on the External Affairs Minister to intervene urgently to ease the distress of affected pilgrims.

Similarly, Mehbooba Mufti described the decision as “disturbing” and emphasized the immense distress it has caused. “Reports indicate that 80% of India’s private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country,” she stated in her post on X. Mufti urged the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately engage with Saudi authorities to resolve the issue.

Background and Implications

The decision comes as part of Saudi Arabia’s measures to manage crowd control during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is expected to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025. Indian pilgrims typically travel through either the Hajj Committee of India or Private Tour Operators (PTOs). The reduction in private quotas has left thousands of pilgrims in limbo, raising concerns about the financial and emotional impact on affected individuals.

Saudi authorities reportedly canceled access to certain zones in Mina due to delays in payments and non-finalization of service agreements by private operators. This has further complicated arrangements for Indian pilgrims, many of whom had already made payments and finalized plans.

Looking Ahead

As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on diplomatic efforts to address the issue. The Ministry of External Affairs is expected to engage with Saudi authorities to explore solutions that could alleviate the distress of affected pilgrims. Leaders like Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti continue to advocate for swift action to ensure that Indian pilgrims can undertake the sacred journey without undue hardship.