- Monday, April 21, 2025
The Indian government claims the Saudi authorities slashed the slots after private tour operators failed to comply with the necessary timelines
By: India Weekly
NEARLY 42,000 Indians, who had booked through private tour operators for Hajj pilgrimage this year, will not be able to travel, after Saudi Arabia reportedly slashed their quota.
The Indian government on Tuesday (15) blamed the Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs), an umbrella organisation of private tour operators, for failing to comply with the necessary timelines set by the Saudi authorities, despite reminders.
Over 52,000 slots were allotted to the Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs) this year, but they were all cancelled.
However, after the Indian government’s intervention, the Saudi Hajj Ministry has agreed to re-open the Hajj Portal for the CHGOs to complete their work in respect of 10,000 pilgrims based on the current space availability in Mina.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) through the Haj Committee of India looks after arrangements for the bulk of the 1,75,025 quota allotted to India, which is 1,22,518 in the current year.
The rest 52,507 is allotted to private tour operators.
These quotas are finalised by the Saudi authorities closer to the time of the pilgrimage.
The government claimed that the minority affairs ministry, through the Haj Committee of India, has made arrangements for the quota allotted to them.
“All the necessary arrangements, including flight schedules, transportation, Mina camps, accommodation, and additional services have been taken up and completed as per the Saudi requirements, within the given timelines,” the statement said.
Due to changes in Saudi guidelines, more than 800 private tour operators were consolidated into 26 legal entities termed Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs), by the ministry this year.
Addressing legal challenges, the Hajj quota was allocated by the ministry to these 26 CHGOs well in advance.
“However, despite reminders, they failed to comply with the necessary timelines set by the Saudi authorities and failed to finalise the mandatory contracts, including for Mina camps, accommodation and transport of pilgrims, as required under the Saudi regulations,” the statement said.
The Indian government been continuously engaging on this matter with the Saudi authorities concerned, including at the ministerial level, the statement said.
The Saudi Hajj Ministry highlighted its concerns for the safety of the pilgrims, particularly in Mina, where Hajj rituals have to be completed under extreme summer heat conditions in a limited space.
It also underlined that due to delays, the available space in Mina became occupied.
The Saudi authorities have further conveyed that they were not extending the timelines for any country this year, the statement said.
“Due to the government’s intervention, the Saudi Hajj Ministry has agreed to re-open the Hajj Portal (Nusuk Portal) to all CHGOs to complete their work in respect of 10,000 pilgrims based on the current space availability in Mina,” it said.
Directions have been issued by the ministry to CHGOs to do so urgently.
India would naturally appreciate any gesture by Saudi authorities to accommodate more pilgrims, the statement added.
Several Opposition leaders had voiced concern after the reported cancellation of Hajj slots by Saudi Arabia for Indian pilgrims and urged the central government to take up the matter with the Saudi leadership.
“The reported cancellation of Hajj slots for over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning. I urge Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities at the earliest to explore a resolution in the interest of all affected pilgrims,” J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah had also appealed to prime minister Narendra Modi to speak to the Saudi leadership in this regard.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti had said the sudden decision to reduce the Hajj quota has caused immense distress for both the pilgrims and tour operators.
Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin also expressed concern over the sudden cut in India’s private Hajj quota.
In a post on the social media platform X, he urged foreign minister S Jaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities and seek an expeditious resolution.
