The govt Hajj subsidy is nothing more than if one goes for Hajj through one of the govt hajj agencies then they are offered an subsidy on Air India ticket i.e they are offered an ticket in 12k which is said to be at 32k. Normally the same air ticket to Saudi will cost 22-24k odd. So actually the subsidy is just 12k and it allows Air India to Tap 84 crores in the month of Hajj. So it is mutual benifit tie up which govt portrays as Subsidy, If Air India goes private this no longer would be there and I hope it does soon.
Hajj is obligated on Muslims only who can physically and Financially afford a journey to Saudi else it is pardonable
The bottomline is this, Indian Muslims should reject the subsidized Air India ticket, if not for anything else then for common sense only. Once the Haj market opens and this forced monopoly of Air India goes, I would not be surprised if other airlines start offering discounts to the Hajis. Afterall, which company wouldn’t want to tap in an yearly market in excess of Rs. 350 crores, and that too, just for the airfare.
