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This is an archive article published on January 5, 2018
SC seeks Centre’s reply on Kerala body’s plea on discrimination in Haj quota
Saudi Arabia had on January 11 increased India’s Haj quota by 34,005, taking it to 1,70,025.
By: Express Web Desk
New Delhi | Updated: January 5, 2018 04:08 PM IST
2 min read
The Supreme Court. (Express Photo/Tashi Tobgyal)
The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Centre’s reply to a petition by Kerala Haj committee’ alleging discrimination in state-wise quota for pilgrims going on Haj. The petition is in favour of an all-India draw of lots to decide on the number of pilgrims.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud asked the Centre to file its response within two weeks. The bench also questioned the rationale in allotting 25 per cent quota for private tour operators.
The case will now be heard on January 30.
In its plea, the Kerala Haj Committee has stated that the Indian government has been allowed by the UAE government to send 1.7 lakh Haj pilgrims every year. The Centre distributes quota on the basis of the Muslim population in each state. Appearing for the committee, lawyer Prashant Bhushan is quoted by PTI as saying: “Every applicant in Bihar gets the opportunity to go for Haj. However, in Kerala, the situation is unpleasant.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, justified the present quota policy, saying it had been devised by the Central Haj Committee on the suggestions of 31 different state Haj committees.
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