Asaduddin Owaisi slams extra Haj fee, calls it ‘exploitation’

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has urged the Centre to withdraw the additional Rs 10,000 charge imposed on Haj 2026 pilgrims, calling it exploitative and demanding a refund, citing the financial burden on pilgrims amid rising airfare costs.

Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president, Asaduddin Owaisi, urged Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijju, to immediately withdraw the circular asking the Haj pilgrims to deposit an additional Rs 10,000 in view of the current crisis in Gulf region.

Asaduddin Owaisi stated that the Haj Committee is demanding an additional Rs 10,000 from Haj Pilgrims as a differential airfare. “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,” he stated.

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Asaduddin Owaisi further asked, “Are pilgrims being punished for going through the Haj Committee? This is just exploitation and nothing else. Most pilgrims are not wealthy; they save money for years to be able to go to Haj. This is not a luxury for them. The circular must be withdrawn immediately, and the pilgrims must be refunded the money taken from them.”