HC refuses to grant stay on Haj subsidy

MUMBAI, Aug 24 (UNI): The Bombay High court today refused to grantinterim stay on a subsidy given by the Union government for Hajpilgrimage.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice D C Bhandari and Justice Dr D Y Chandrachud while refusing to grant stay admitted the PIL and directed the Central government and the various state governments to file a reply till September 30.

The PIL was filed by an NGO 'Janhit Manch' seeking direction to restrain the Centre to grant subsidy for the Haj pilgrims and also for spending crores of rupees while providing facilities to Hindu devotees during the Kumbh Mela, visit to Kailash Mansarovar and others.

Manch president Bhagvanji Raiyani, who appeared as a party, told the court that though the Constitution permitted every citizen to follow and his own religion but the state could not aid or indulge in the religious affairs.

He said providing this type of subsidy was an unconstitutional and illegal act and a heavy burden on the poor tax payers.

He urged the court to direct the governments to cancel this type of subsidy and prayed to the court to grant an interim stay on the ground that Haj season was likely to commence shortly.

The petitioner claimed that every year approximately 10,000 persons visit the holy place at Mecca from India and the Centre had last year granted a subsidy of Rs 220 crore, which has increased to Rs 240 crore this year.

While opposing the petition Additional Solicitor General of India B A Desai contended that the Centre eas empowered for spend its tax collection at its descretion.

He also said providing Haj subsidy and spending crores of rupees on Hindu religious gatherings was the part of promoting secular spirit among the people.