The central government has decided to increase the air fare per passenger for Haj pilgrims by Rs 10,000 this year. There has been a controversy regarding this increase of Haj Committee. Actually, the Haj Committee has increased the air fare per passenger due to the increase in the prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) due to the ongoing tension in West Asia. However, airline companies were insisting on increasing this fare to Rs 40,000.
Meanwhile, the opposition has strongly opposed this decision of the government. Congress on Sunday demanded the Haj Committee to withdraw the fee hike. The party alleged that the steep increase in the cost of performing Haj under the Modi government has made it beyond the reach of common Indian families.
‘The ministry should not be blamed’
However, the government says it has reduced the burden on pilgrims by negotiating with airlines and limiting the increase in airfares to just US$100 per passenger. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the ministry should not be blamed without understanding the facts.
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What did Rijiju say?
Rijiju said in a post, ‘Due to the West Asia crisis, the airlines had demanded an increase of US $ 400 per passenger. After negotiations, we have reduced it to just US$100 for pilgrims traveling through Haj Committee of India. For those opting for private operators, the increase is approximately US$150. Our constant endeavor has been to reduce the burden and ensure a smooth and safe Hajj pilgrimage for all.
Money will have to be deposited first
The central government claimed that it had limited this increase through negotiations. Opposition leaders have criticized the increase in airfare for Haj pilgrimage and termed it injustice. A circular issued by the Haj Committee of India said that in view of the extraordinary circumstances arising out of the ongoing crisis in West Asia, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has approved changes in the airfares for Haj 2026. The circular said that this year all Haj pilgrims will have to deposit Rs 10,000 as difference in airfare by May 15.
What did Congress say?
Congress general secretary and MP Syed Naseer Hussain, in a post on social media platform ‘X’, said that on April 28, 2026, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has issued a circular asking every Haj pilgrim to make additional payment by May 15. He claimed that this demand has been made without any prior notice, without any consultation and without giving any proper reason as per the time.
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The Congress leader said, ‘The pilgrims, including the elderly, have paid the entire amount in several installments over several months. Many pilgrims have already reached Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. The difficulty they face is not just economic. This is a direct result of mismanagement, and is an indication that they are being treated as a revenue source rather than citizens entitled to basic protection and respect.’
He said the Congress calls for immediate withdrawal of the April 28 circular, refund of the entire amount collected under it and implementation of structural reforms including mandatory competitive tender and Haj price stability framework before the start of the 2027 session.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, while sharing a video of Haj pilgrims appreciating the arrangements, said that this appreciation reflects the continued commitment of Haj management to ensure that every pilgrim receives timely care, assistance and respect during the journey.
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