The Observer Post – Page 147 – News That Matters

Skip to content

Home
India
World
Politics
Features
Video
Opinion
Support Us

Breaking India Indian Muslims Dalits Hate Watch Minotities Law Science & Technologies Education

Latest News

The Hajj Committee of India has asked all pilgrims travelling for Hajj 2026 to deposit an additional ₹10,000 due to a rise in airfare costs. In an official circular issued on April 28, the committee said the increase comes after a one-time fare revision approved by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The hike includes an additional $100 (around ₹10,000) per pilgrim and will apply to all embarkation points across the country. Officials said the decision was taken after airlines cited a sharp rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Airlines Had Sought Higher Increase According to officials, airlines had initially demanded a fare hike of over $400 per passenger due to rising operational costs. However, after discussions, authorities approved only a partial increase, passing on a smaller burden to pilgrims. All selected pilgrims have been directed to deposit the additional amount by May 15, 2026. Payments can be made through the official Hajj portal, the Hajj Suvidha app, or through designated bank branches such as State Bank of India and Union Bank of India. State Hajj Committees have been instructed to inform pilgrims and ensure compliance within the deadline. Over 1.75 Lakh Pilgrims to Travel This Year This year, around 1,75,025 pilgrims from India are expected to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage. With the additional ₹10,000 charge, the total financial impact on pilgrims is estimated to be nearly ₹175 crore. The pilgrimage process has already begun, with the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir departing from Srinagar on April 18. Owaisi Criticises Move, Calls It “Exploitation” Reacting to the decision, Asaduddin Owaisi strongly criticised the additional charge and demanded that the circular be withdrawn. “The Haj Committee is demanding an additional ₹10,000 from Haj pilgrims as ‘differential airfare’. This is despite collecting ₹90,844 per pilgrim earlier from Mumbai embarkation point. This is almost double the prevalent rates for individual travellers,” he said. Owaisi questioned whether pilgrims were being penalised for choosing the official route. “Most pilgrims are not wealthy; they save money for years to go for Hajj. This is not a luxury for them. This is just exploitation and nothing else,” he added, urging authorities to refund the extra amount.

Hajj Airfare Hike Row: Congress Slams Govt, Centre Defends Rs 10,000 Increase for Pilgrims

By The Observer Post

|

May 3, 2026

UP: Dalit Wedding Procession Attacked in Sambhal Over Ambedkar Songs, Several Injured, FIR Against Five

UP: Dalit Wedding Procession Attacked in Sambhal Over Ambedkar Songs, Several Injured, FIR Against Five

May 3, 2026

‘Farming for 30 Years’: Dalit Families Claim Forced Land Takeover Near Temple in Mathura Village

‘Farming for 30 Years’: Dalit Families Claim Forced Land Takeover Near Temple in Mathura Village

May 3, 2026

Delhi Begins SIR Groundwork, Govt Staff Told to Verify Names in 2002 Voter List

Delhi Begins SIR Groundwork, Govt Staff Told to Verify Names in 2002 Voter List

May 3, 2026

UN Chief António Guterres

‘All Freedom Depends on Press Freedom’: United Nations Urges Protection of Journalists

May 3, 2026

Pope Leo XIV Marks World Press Freedom Day, Condemns Attacks on Journalists

Pope Leo XIV Marks World Press Freedom Day, Condemns Attacks on Journalists

May 3, 2026

“I Am One of the Six Complainants”: Vinesh Phogat Raises Safety Concerns Ahead of Comeback

“I Am One of the Six Complainants”: Vinesh Phogat Raises Safety Concerns Ahead of Comeback

May 3, 2026

Politics

The Hajj Committee of India has asked all pilgrims travelling for Hajj 2026 to deposit an additional ₹10,000 due to a rise in airfare costs. In an official circular issued on April 28, the committee said the increase comes after a one-time fare revision approved by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The hike includes an additional $100 (around ₹10,000) per pilgrim and will apply to all embarkation points across the country. Officials said the decision was taken after airlines cited a sharp rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Airlines Had Sought Higher Increase According to officials, airlines had initially demanded a fare hike of over $400 per passenger due to rising operational costs. However, after discussions, authorities approved only a partial increase, passing on a smaller burden to pilgrims. All selected pilgrims have been directed to deposit the additional amount by May 15, 2026. Payments can be made through the official Hajj portal, the Hajj Suvidha app, or through designated bank branches such as State Bank of India and Union Bank of India. State Hajj Committees have been instructed to inform pilgrims and ensure compliance within the deadline. Over 1.75 Lakh Pilgrims to Travel This Year This year, around 1,75,025 pilgrims from India are expected to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage. With the additional ₹10,000 charge, the total financial impact on pilgrims is estimated to be nearly ₹175 crore. The pilgrimage process has already begun, with the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir departing from Srinagar on April 18. Owaisi Criticises Move, Calls It “Exploitation” Reacting to the decision, Asaduddin Owaisi strongly criticised the additional charge and demanded that the circular be withdrawn. “The Haj Committee is demanding an additional ₹10,000 from Haj pilgrims as ‘differential airfare’. This is despite collecting ₹90,844 per pilgrim earlier from Mumbai embarkation point. This is almost double the prevalent rates for individual travellers,” he said. Owaisi questioned whether pilgrims were being penalised for choosing the official route. “Most pilgrims are not wealthy; they save money for years to go for Hajj. This is not a luxury for them. This is just exploitation and nothing else,” he added, urging authorities to refund the extra amount.

Hajj Airfare Hike Row: Congress Slams Govt, Centre Defends Rs 10,000 Increase for Pilgrims

By The Observer Post

—

May 3, 2026

UP: Dalit Wedding Procession Attacked in Sambhal Over Ambedkar Songs, Several Injured, FIR Against Five

UP: Dalit Wedding Procession Attacked in Sambhal Over Ambedkar Songs, Several Injured, FIR Against Five

By The Observer Post

—

May 3, 2026

‘Farming for 30 Years’: Dalit Families Claim Forced Land Takeover Near Temple in Mathura Village

‘Farming for 30 Years’: Dalit Families Claim Forced Land Takeover Near Temple in Mathura Village

May 3, 2026

Delhi Begins SIR Groundwork, Govt Staff Told to Verify Names in 2002 Voter List

Delhi Begins SIR Groundwork, Govt Staff Told to Verify Names in 2002 Voter List

May 3, 2026

UN Chief António Guterres

‘All Freedom Depends on Press Freedom’: United Nations Urges Protection of Journalists

May 3, 2026

World

UN Chief António Guterres

‘All Freedom Depends on Press Freedom’: United Nations Urges Protection of Journalists

May 3, 2026

Pope Leo XIV Marks World Press Freedom Day, Condemns Attacks on Journalists

Pope Leo XIV Marks World Press Freedom Day, Condemns Attacks on Journalists

May 3, 2026

Sheikh Yousaf Afridi, Close Aide of Hafiz Saeed, Shot Dead in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Sheikh Yousaf Afridi, Close Aide of Hafiz Saeed, Shot Dead in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

April 28, 2026

Security scare at White House Correspondents’ Dinner triggers panic as Donald Trump, Melania evacuated and suspect detained.

Donald Trump Evacuated After Gunshots at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

April 26, 2026

indian muslims

Sambhal: Tehsildar Court Declares Mosque on Graveyard Land Illegal, Eviction Ordered

No Toxins in Watermelon, But Morphine Detected: New Twist in Abdullah Dokadia Family Death Case

May 2, 2026

Mumbai Abdullah Dokadia Family Dies in Suspected Food Poisoning Case in Pydhonie

16-Year-Old Muslim Boy Stabbed to Death in East Delhi’s Trilokpuri, Family Alleges Targeted Attack

May 2, 2026

16-Year-Old Muslim Boy Stabbed to Death in East Delhi’s Trilokpuri, Family Alleges Targeted Attack

Aligarh: Two Muslim Youths Injured in Clash Over Alleged Communal Remarks and Rent Dispute

May 1, 2026

Aligarh: Two Muslim Youths Injured in Clash Over Alleged Communal Remarks and Rent Dispute

india

Hajj Airfare Hike Row: Congress Slams Govt, Centre Defends Rs 10,000 Increase for Pilgrims

UP: Dalit Wedding Procession Attacked in Sambhal Over Ambedkar Songs, Several Injured, FIR Against Five

May 3, 2026

UP: Dalit Wedding Procession Attacked in Sambhal Over Ambedkar Songs, Several Injured, FIR Against Five

‘Farming for 30 Years’: Dalit Families Claim Forced Land Takeover Near Temple in Mathura Village

May 3, 2026

‘Farming for 30 Years’: Dalit Families Claim Forced Land Takeover Near Temple in Mathura Village

Delhi Begins SIR Groundwork, Govt Staff Told to Verify Names in 2002 Voter List

May 3, 2026

Delhi Begins SIR Groundwork, Govt Staff Told to Verify Names in 2002 Voter List

Human Rights

‘All Freedom Depends on Press Freedom’: United Nations Urges Protection of Journalists

Pope Leo XIV Marks World Press Freedom Day, Condemns Attacks on Journalists

May 3, 2026

Pope Leo XIV Marks World Press Freedom Day, Condemns Attacks on Journalists

Mayawati Says Workers’ Conditions Remain Unchanged, Flags Job Insecurity on Labour Day

May 1, 2026

Mayawati Slams UP Govt for Removing Loudspeakers During Ramzan, Calls It ‘Stepmotherly treatment’ Against Muslims

‘He Seemed Intoxicated’: Odisha Bank on Man Who Brought Sister’s Skeleton for Claim

April 29, 2026

Tribal Man Digs Up Sister’s Skeleton, Takes It to Bank in Odisha to Prove Death

The Observer Post is an independent media outlet dedicated to highlighting stories of the marginalized, including Dalits, Tribals, Women, and Minorities.

Categories

Breaking India Human rights Politics

Quick Links

About Us Contact Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy

Follow Us

Follow Us On Social Media

Get Latest Update On Social Media

© Example.com • All rights reserved

Home
India
World
Politics
Features
Video
Opinion
Support Us

Search for: