(The Hindu
April 22, 2007)
Subsidies for Haj pilgrimage not against secularism: Centre
New Delhi, April 22. (PTI): The Centre has defended subsidies provided to Muslims for the Haj pilgrimage in the Supreme Court, brushing aside the charge that it was against the principles of secularism, and said financial support was also given to people of other religions.
The Centre provides such facilities for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Hindus and Sikh pilgrims visiting gurudwaras in Pakistan, it said in an affidavit.
The External Affairs Ministry said, it had been conducting the Kailash Mansarover Yatra with the assistance of States and providing financial support to Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam to offset the expenditure incurred by it for yatris.
"Some State Governments also provide assistance to the yatris. Facilities are provided to Hindu and Sikh pilgrims for visits to temples and gurudwaras in Pakistan," it said.
The Government was responding to a petition challenging the constitutional validity of annual financial aid given by it to Muslim pilgrims on the ground that it amounted to discrimination on the basis of religion.
The Government's affidavit assumes significance in view of concern expressed by the Apex Court, which during the hearing on a similar issue last year had wanted to know as to whether any subsidy like the one for Haj was given to pilgrims of other religious communities.
The court had referred to Sikh 'jathas' going for pilgrimage to Nanakana Sahib in Pakistan and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for Hindus.
The court's observations had come while vacating the Allahabad High Court's order restraining the Government from providing financial subsidies to Haj pilgrims last year.
Responding to a petition filed by a Delhi-based businessman on the Haj issue, the Centre said the grant of subsidy was in no way against the principle of secularism and was pivotal for developing better relations with Arab countries.
"Indian Muslims performing Haj promote goodwill and international understanding," it said.
"A policy decision to grant subsidy to Haj pilgrims is in no way going to affect the principles of secularism in the country.
"It is very much pertinent to state at this juncture that the Government is not averse to the idea of granting support to pilgrimage conducted by any community," the Centre said.
Making a distinction between essential activities of religions and secular aspects connected with it, the Centre said, "In order that religious practises in question should be treated as a part of religion, it must be its essential and integral part.
"Coming and going for Haj, coming and going for Kailash Mansarovar, coming and going for Kumbh Mela are all indeed secular activities. The Government is only facilitating Indian citizens to go on pilgrimage," it said.
The petitioner contended that the provision of a special subsidy to the Muslim community to the exclusion of others like Hindus, Christians, Buddhists and Sikhs was violative of the Constitution as the State cannot discriminate between citizens on the grounds of religion, caste or creed.
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