Srinagar: Over 52,000 Indians who had booked for their Hajj pilgrimage through private tour operators are likely to face a major setback.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has issued a fresh circular stating that only 20 percent of the private quota that was booked earlier will be confirmed initially. It means that 80 percent of the people who registered under Combined Hajj Group Organisers (CHGOs) may not be able to perform Hajj 2025.
It is important to note that the decision comes after the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah shut down access to the Nusuk portal—a mandatory online platform used to finalise contracts and services for pilgrims.
The Saudi authorities cancelled Mina Zones 1 and 2, which had been allotted to CHGOs, due to the delays in payments and non-finalisation of service agreements. The remaining zones (3, 4 and 5) have also been held up, further worsening the situation.
Ruling and Opposition parties in J&K have come together to voice their concern after the reported cancellation and urged the central government to take up the matter with their leadership.
