A recent Right to Information (RTI) reply has sparked fresh debate on religious equity in public funding. The RTI, revealed that the Government of India spent nearly Rs 7,697 crore on airfare subsidies for Muslim pilgrims.

These pilgrims were traveling for Haj between the year 1994 and 2017. The subsidy, exclusive to the traveling pilgrims, was under the Haj Committee of India. However it was officially discontinued in the year 2018.

RTI reveals data

The shocking information was obtained by Maharashtra’s Pune-based RTI activist Prafful P Sarda. He sought the information from the Haj Committee of India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

According to the RTI response, the highest annual subsidy peaked at Rs 895 crore in 2008. Even in its final year, the year before it was discontinued, the 2017 budget estimated over Rs 200 crore in expenditure.

Breakdown of Haj Subsidy Spending

The RTI revealed the following key figures on the annual Haj subsidy:

According to the RTI reply the total subsidy during the UPA regime (2004–2014) under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stood at Rs6,560 crore. Meanwhile, the average during the UPA government was around Rs 655 crore per year.

However, between the year 2014 and 2017, under the Modi government, an additional Rs 1,137 crore was spent. Making the total subsidy under the NDA regime around Rs 7,697 crore over the span of 13 years.

What Was the Haj Subsidy?

According to reports, the Haj subsidy was a financial assistance provided by the Government of India. This subsidy was given to Muslims performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca or Saudi Arabia. It was primarily offered in the form of discounted air fares on Air India flights making the trips easy and affordable for the pilgrims. The subsidy aimed to help make the pilgrimage more accessible to individuals from lower-income backgrounds.

However, in 2012 the Supreme Court ruled that the subsidy should be phased out within 10 years. Gradually the Haj subsidy program was reduced and officially discontinued in the year 2018.

Pilgrim Numbers and Post-Subsidy Trends

According to the Haj Committee, despite the end of the subsidy, the number of Haj pilgrims have remained robust.

Even after the discontinuation of Haj subsidy the Indian Haj Committee continues to manage the application and travel process. Furthermore, the Union Health Ministry provides medical support to the travellers.

Prafful Sarda’s Statement

Following the revelations from his RTI, activist Prafful Sarda criticized the long-standing government policy. He also questioned the lack of equivalent financial support by the government for Hindu pilgrimages. The pilgrims who travel to Amarnath Yatra and Char Dham Yatra.

“For years, the majority population in this country has been treated like second-grade citizens. When will they receive equal treatment?” Sarda asked. “Will the government ever allocate the same level of funding for Amarnath and Char Dham Yatras as it did for the Haj?”

Calls of Equal Funding for Hindu Pilgrimages

Now, Sarda’s comments have reignited the debate over the equitable use of taxpayer money. India being a secular nation, where state-sponsored benefits are practiced, should not favor any one religion.

Meanwhile, the final pilgrim count for Haj 2025 is expected to be released upon completion of this year’s pilgrimage season.