New Delhi, 29 January: The third wave ofย coronavirus pandemic and rising inflation has also had a bad impact on the application process for Hajj pilgrimage. The last date for filling the application form for Hajj pilgrimage 2022 is January 31, but so far only about 63 thousand application forms have been submitted from all over the country. In this way, in the remaining two days, the number of applicants according to Haj quota will be very less.
Significantly, the quota of India has been fixed by the Saudi Arabian government to send two lakh Hajj pilgrims. In the capital Delhi, where every year, four times more application forms than the quota fixed by people wishing to go on Hajj pilgrimage were filled, so far this year only 1200 application forms have been filled. Last year 1350 application forms were filled in Delhi, whereas before the pandemic, more than eight thousand application forms were filled.
In view of the Covid-19, many restrictions have been imposed by the Saudi Arabian administration. Haj pilgrims coming from all over the world were banned for Haj pilgrimage for the year 2020-21 due to Corona. However, with the permission given by the Saudi Arabian administration for Umrah this year, it is likely that Hajj pilgrims from other countries including India will be allowed to come there for the Hajj pilgrimage 2022.
However, so far no final announcement has been made by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Saudi Arabia regarding Hajj pilgrimage-2022.
However, on behalf of the Hajj Committee of India, the application form is being submitted from the persons willing to go on Hajj pilgrimage from India.
Despite all the efforts being made by the committee, very few people are showing interest to go for Hajj pilgrimage from India. It is being told that behind this there is a situation of uncertainty regarding the organization of Hajj Yatra-2022.
Apart from this, the Hajj pilgrimage which was being completed in two to two and a half lakh rupees till the year 2019 has now increased to four and a half lakh rupees. In view of the guidelines set for the coronavirus, the cost of Hajj pilgrimage has more than doubled. This expenditure has risen due to the changed rules for transportation and accommodation of passengers etc. People are also avoiding going on Haj pilgrimage due to the exorbitant expenditure on the journey.
Pilgrims believe that after the coronavirus epidemic, when the situation becomes normal, then the cost of Hajj pilgrimage may be reduced somewhat. Then they will apply for travel.
Delhi State Hajj Committee chairman Mukhtar Ahmed has admitted that due to the uncertainty and inflation surrounding the Hajj pilgrimage 2022, less number of people willing to travel is applying.
He believes that in the last two years also people had applied for Hajj pilgrimage but they did not get the opportunity to go for Hajj pilgrimage.
He told that two more days are left for the application. Hopefully some more applications will be made in the meantime.
