New Delhi [India], May 4 (ANI): Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain on Monday questioned the ruling party, BJP on the rationale of burdening pilgrims with added extra cost on Haj travels.

Hussain said that it was shocking as the government has consistently maintained that developments in West Asia have not disrupted India's energy stability.

In a post on X, he said, 'The Government of India has consistently maintained that developments in West Asia have not disrupted India's energy stability. The union petroleum minister has further stated that global oil shocks were absorbed by the government and not transmitted to citizens.'

https://x.com/NasirHussainINC/status/2051109430989861122?s=20

'In that context: On what rationale is this burden now being placed on pilgrims who have planned and saved over many years to undertake a sacred obligation, particularly with the sudden imposition of an additional 10,000 at the final stage? Amid overall exorbitant pricing without adequate regulation and safeguards, why has this journey been rendered more expensive and more uncertain for ordinary families under BJP governance?' he added.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday clarified the government's stance on the recent increase in Hajj airfares, stating that the central government intervened to significantly reduce the hike originally proposed by airlines following geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Union Minister Rijiju explained that the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the US-Israel axis had led to a sharp rise in operational costs for aviation companies, who initially sought a much steeper price revision, speaking to reporters here.

'Some people wrote letters regarding the issue of why the Hajj fare has been increased by $100? Everyone knows that after the war between Iran and the US-Israel, the airlines requested an increase of $400. They have proposed an increase in the airfare for Hajj pilgrims to $400. We don't want poor pilgrims to be unable to go on Hajj due to financial constraints. Therefore, senior officials of the ministry sat down and negotiated with airline companies and brought the fee down from $400 to $100. So, for those going on Hajj through the Hajj Committee of India, there has been an increase of only $100, and for private operators, there has been an increase of $150', Rijiju said. (ANI)