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Haj policy is fair, Centre tells SC
Context
The Centre defended its new Haj policy, saying it is not discriminatory and allocation of subsidies on pilgrims is based on the objective criteria of the muslim population in each state.
Allegations by Kerala State Haj Committee
The Centre was responding to allegations made by the Kerala State Haj Committee that the policy, which allots subsidised seats based on the Muslim count in each State, denies Muslims from smaller States such as Kerala an opportunity to make the pilgrimage.
Arguments for
Bihar has a quota of 12,000 seats, but at least 5,000 seats remain vacant
Kerala has 95,000 applicants who want subsidy, but the quota is only for 6,000 seats. So, only one per cent goes
Arguments by the government
Countering this, AttorneyGeneral K.K. Venugopal argued that the allocation of subsidy quota on the basis of Muslim population of a State had been there from the very beginning and did not start with the current Haj guidelines for 2018-22.
Palpably arbitrary
The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, made it clear that the court would intervene in the Haj policy only if it is found to be “palpably arbitrary”.
Bound by policy
Mr. Venugopal said the central Haj committee was consulted before the new policy was finalised. “The State Haj Committees are bound by the policy of the central Haj body. Each and every stakeholder was consulted. Now they cannot turn around and say this is not the right way to do Haj,” Mr. Venugopal argued.
