Centre for relook at Haj bar on disabled

Centre for relook at Haj bar on disabled

What has happened?

The Centre told the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that it has advised the Haj Committee of India to examine the “sensitive” provision that bars differently-abled persons from applying for the Haj pilgrimage

New Haj policy

• According to the petition, the new Haj policy, issued in November last year, debars “persons suffering from polio, tuberculosis, congestive and respiratory ailment, acute coronary insufficiency, coronary thrombosis, mental disorder, infectious leprosy, AIDS or any other communicable disability or handicap” from applying for the pilgrimage.
• The petition said the new policy is against the various provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, the Mental Health Act, and the National Mental Health Policy, which has equality and non-discrimination as its guiding principles.

Government’s view

• It is as per prevailing practice for more than 30 years, persons suffering from physical disabilities or suffering from specified diseases have been debarred from applying for Haj pilgrimage through the Haj Committee
• There is fear of stampede or mishaps. And in such gruelling situation, it is only the pilgrims with physical disabilities who are likely to suffer the most

What now?

Centre has asked for this to be reviewed in terms of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 so that necessary amendments can be made in the Haj policy