Shaheen aghast at hardships faced by J&K Hajj pilgrims

Jammu, May 26: Janata Dal (United) Party President, G M Shaheen on Monday expressed deep anguish over the basic hardships being faced by Hajj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued here, Shaheen said, “Several pilgrims departing from Srinagar have reported severe mismanagement and negligence on the part of the Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Committee and the Government of India. Pilgrims were not provided proper accommodations and were forced to sleep at the airport before departure, raising serious questions about the preparations and arrangements made by the concerned authorities.”
The JD (U) leader added, “Many pilgrims are currently facing distressing conditions in Medina, citing overcrowded and suffocating rooms, inadequate washroom facilities, and a lack of basic amenities, including cooling and sanitation in tents. These issues are causing significant discomfort to the pilgrims and tarnishing the overall experience of this sacred journey.”
Shaheen termed the situation a “reflection of gross mismanagement” and said the Hajj Committee had failed to fulfill its promises, leaving pilgrims to suffer in silence.
He appealed to External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar and Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha to urgently intervene and address the grievances of the pilgrims.
Shaheen stressed the need for better planning, coordination, and execution by the concerned agencies to ensure that the pilgrims are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
“It is the moral and administrative responsibility of the Government of India and the J&K Hajj Committee to ensure a safe, comfortable and dignified pilgrimage experience for all,” he said.