Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 10:54am on 14 Apr 2025,Monday India Global
Saudi Arabia has reportedly slashed India's private Hajj quota by 80%, affecting approximately 52,000 pilgrims. This sudden move, involving the cancellation of Mina zones previously allocated to private tour operators, has sparked concern among Indian leaders. People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti labeled the development "disturbing" and urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene with Saudi authorities. Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the distress faced by pilgrims who have already paid for the pilgrimage. Both leaders have called on External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to engage with Saudi counterparts to resolve the issue and alleviate the uncertainty for affected pilgrims. (PC: Wikipedia & AFP)
