NEW DELHI, 3 April 2008 — Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said yesterday the government would make arrangements to ensure that Haj pilgrims do not face any problems this year.
Speaking at the All India Haj Conference, Mukherjee said, “I can assure you that whatever shortcomings have been pointed out by you will be addressed. We will try to improve the situation.” The minister was referring to problems faced last year by Indian pilgrims due to last minute re-scheduling of flights and poor accommodation facilities.
Taking note of complaints concerning inadequate facilities and other problems faced by pilgrims last year, Mukherjee admitted, “Sometimes it is not possible to provide best facilities to Haj pilgrims.”
Ahead of Mukherjee’s speech, several state Haj committee members spoke about the indifferent attitude of Air India officials toward Haj pilgrims, restrictions on carrying Zamzam water and poor accommodation facilities.
Mukherjee urged state Haj committees to undertake proper orientation programs for intending pilgrims.
Some committee members also raised slogans against the government for not providing sufficient facilities to pilgrims. On this, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel asked the Haj Committee to realize the problems of the government before making allegations. The government would do whatever possible to ensure that Haj pilgrimage is a smooth affair this year, Patel said.
Earlier this year, India discussed with Saudi Arabia the issue of Zamzam water for Indian pilgrims. Mukherjee subsequently told the Lower House: “The Kingdom has agreed to allow India to transport Zamzam water in bulk as a one-time exception. Diplomatic missions will make arrangements to bring Zamzam here which will be given to registered Haj pilgrim centers for distribution among registered pilgrims.”
Air India has been advised to deploy wide-bodied aircraft for carrying pilgrims, Mukherjee said. Besides, Indore would be the new embarkation point for pilgrims in Madhya Pradesh, Patel said.
At the conference, objections were raised over the alleged advertisement of Salman Rushdie’s books, including Satanic Verses, on the website of Indian Consul General in Saudi Arabia, Ausaf Sayeed. Immediately after Mukherjee’s speech, a delegate displayed a Hindi daily carrying a news item about Sayeed selling Rushdie’s book online. Mukherjee said: “We will find out the facts.” Several delegates demanded Sayeed’s resignation.
Dismissing the allegations, Sayeed told a news agency that he had no knowledge of the advertisement and had no association with the controversial author. “I have nothing to do with Rushdie or his ghost.” Claiming that it was a ploy to “sabotage” the annual Haj conference, Sayeed said: “This is a ploy to create disturbance in the conference. It is also an attempt to cast aspersions and tarnish the image of key personalities associated with the Haj conference.” With the website being on a free server, he had no control over it, Sayeed said. “The subject is open to scrutiny. Anybody can access my website and see the contents,” he said.
