*Seek intervention before return flights
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 29: Scores of Haj pilgrims from J&K staying in Mina, Saudi Arabia, today threatened to boycott their return flights, alleging a fresh curtailment in baggage allowance despite earlier reductions and official assurances regarding luggage limits.
The pilgrims, who have completed the Haj and are preparing to return home, said they were initially asked to reduce their baggage allowance by 15 kilograms before departing for Saudi Arabia.
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They claimed that despite being assured they would be allowed to carry up to 40 kilograms of checked baggage and seven kilograms of hand luggage on the return journey, they have now been informed that only a small portion of their luggage will accompany them by air.
Several pilgrims described the move as discriminatory, alleging that similar restrictions were not being imposed on pilgrims from other states.
“We were asked to reduce our baggage by 15 kilograms before departure, and we accepted that without protest. Throughout the pilgrimage, we faced several difficulties but remained patient,” said pilgrim Peerzada Abdul Ahad.
“Now, just as we are preparing to return home, we have been told that only five kilograms of our checked baggage will travel with us by air, while the remaining 35 kilograms will be shipped separately. This is completely contrary to the assurances given to us before departure,” he said.
Ahad said the pilgrims had collectively decided not to hand over their luggage or board their return flights unless the promised baggage allowance was restored.
Another pilgrim, G.N. Bhat said the repeated changes in arrangements had left many pilgrims frustrated.
“We are being told that most of our baggage will be transported separately. We expected facilities comparable to those provided to pilgrims from other states, but our experience has been very different,” he alleged.
Bhat also complained about the quality of services during the pilgrimage, claiming that catering facilities were discontinued at certain stages, forcing pilgrims to spend additional money on meals.
Saleem-ud-Din, another pilgrim, echoed the concerns and alleged that different baggage rules were being applied to pilgrims from J&K.
“We are being told that most of our baggage will be shipped separately and collected later from Haj House, Bemina,” he said.
Farooq Ahmad, another pilgrim, expressed concern that items purchased during the pilgrimage, particularly dates and other perishables, could be damaged or spoil if they were transported separately instead of being carried on the return flights.
Another pilgrim, Ghulam Mohiuddin, said pilgrims had expected better facilities this year but were disappointed by the latest development.
“We tolerated various problems during the pilgrimage because we wanted to focus on completing our religious obligations. However, these last-minute baggage restrictions have created unnecessary hardship and frustration at a time when we are preparing to return home,” he said.
The pilgrims urged the J&K Haj Committee and other concerned authorities to intervene immediately and resolve the issue before the commencement of return flights from Saudi Arabia.
Officials of the J&K Haj Committee did not immediately respond to the concerns raised by the pilgrims.
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