ALL INDIA
MUSLIM FORUM
PEACEFUL PROTEST in front of Lucknow Vidhan Sabha against the arbitrary and draconian directives of Central Haj Committee, Mumbai
Lucknow: November, 15, 2003- All India Muslim Forum today organized a 'PEACEFUL PROTEST DHARNA'(demonstration) in front of Lucknow Vidhan Sabha from 11.a.m. to 4.p.m. against the arbitrary and draconian directives of Central Haj Committee, Mumbai, dated, November,19,2003, whereby not only the subsidy for the income payee Haj pilgrims has been dispensed with but also that they will embark for their
pilgrimage from Delhi, whereas their wives and other family members who are exempt from income tax will have Lucknow as their departure point.
Addressing the protesters, the President of Muslim Forum Dr M. K. Sherwani expressed his anguish over the fact that the order of the External Affairs Ministry- controlled Central Haj Committee is not only the unjustified obtrusion into the basic tents of Muslim Personal law but has also created an unprecedented crisis for those Haj pilgrims who are going with their
husbands, wives and other family members and some of them are income tax payees while the others are exempt from income tax.
Dr. Sherwani further stressed that if the government wants to end the
subsidy, it must do so happily but the Central Haj Committee must invite the tenders from all the international airlines and make the arrangements for the Haj pilgrims in the cheapest ones. He disclosed that the reality is that Indian Airlines and Air India are considered as standards while fixing the fare which is Rs.32000 (Thirty two thousand rupees).After subsidy, this comes down to Rs.24000 (Twenty four thousand rupees).If the tenders are invited from other air lines , this fare will be much less than even Rs. 24000(Twenty four thousand). Launching a scathing attack on these irregularities, he lamented that the the prime source of corruption in the Central Haj Committee is that they charge the fare arbitrarily according to the
standards of Indian Air Lines and Air India while the Haj pilgrims are despatched in other airlines on far too reduced
rates. He emphasized that the Muslim community is not begging for this fictitious subsidy but demands that tenders must be invited from all the airlines.
At the conclusion of Dharna a resolution was passed unanimously, demanding the immediate withdrawal of this draconian directive failing which the Muslim Forum volunteers will gherao the office of Lucknow Haj Committee shortly. It further demanded and a comprehensive C.B.I. probe into the entire functioning of Central Haj Committee, Mumbai and other State Haj Committees.
(Dr. Aftab Ahmed)
President, Distt. Lucknow
For ALL INDIA MUSLIM FORUM
(C - 177, SECTOR 'J' ALIGANJ, LUCKNOW- U. P.) Phone :
(++91-522) 2363062,
2362071, 2328677; Email: sherwanimk@yahoo.com
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