New Delhi, Nov 2: The Centre on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that it has made changes in the Hajj policy and allowed disabled persons to also perform the annual pilgrimage.
Central government standing counsel Ajay Digpaul told a Bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice I.S. Mehta that only persons with serious illnesses such as cancer or tuberculosis are barred from the pilgrimage.
The new Hajj policy, issued by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in November last year, debars “persons suffering from polio, tuberculosis, congestive and respiratory ailment, acute coronary insufficiency, coronary thrombosis, mental disorder, infectious leprosy, AIDS, or any other communicable disability or handicapped” from applying for the Hajj pilgrimage.
A petition was filed before the High Court claiming that the new Hajj policy, which will be effective for the next five years starting 2018, was “discriminatory, arbitrary and highly irrational” as it violates fundamental rights of disabled persons.
Mr. Digpaul, appearing for the Ministry, said that the Hajj Committee of India has “unanimously decided to allow persons with special needs to apply” for the pilgrimage under the general category.
Policy amended
The Central government lawyer also placed before the Bench an affidavit giving details of the changes made in the new Hajj policy for 2018-22 by the HCOI.
The amended policy has made it clear that “physical disability of a person will not be construed as adverse physical health”.
Mr. Digpaul said on selection, such a person with special needs can perform Hajj if he or she can undertake the journey on their own, or else they may be accompanied by an able-bodied person who will have to be a blood relation and bear responsibility during the pilgrimage.
Comments
Add new comment