Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 30: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari today urged the J&K Government to immediately intervene over the baggage restrictions imposed on Haj pilgrims from the Union Territory during their return journey from Saudi Arabia.
Bukhari called on the Government to take up the matter with the Hajj Committee of India and the concerned airline authorities.
He said that the curbs had caused anxiety among pilgrims preparing to return home after completing the annual pilgrimage.
According to Bukhari, pilgrims have alleged that baggage regulations communicated to them before departure to Saudi Arabia are now being altered for the return journey.
“Pilgrims have informed us that before leaving for Saudi Arabia, they were asked to reduce their luggage by 15 kilograms. Now they are being told that on the Ahmedabad-Srinagar sector they will be allowed only 5 kg of check-in baggage and 7 kg of hand baggage, while the remaining luggage-up to 30 kg-will be transported separately by road,” he said.
He said the decision had created uncertainty among pilgrims, many of whom feared that sacred items, gifts and perishable goods purchased during their stay in Saudi Arabia could be damaged or spoiled during transit.
Bukhari said the situation had added avoidable stress and hardship to pilgrims who had already fulfilled an important religious obligation.
Describing the reported approach of the concerned authorities as insensitive and non-cooperative, he said pilgrims deserved dignity, respect and proper facilitation during their return journey.
“Pilgrims who have completed a sacred journey should not be subjected to such avoidable inconvenience and mental anguish,” he added.
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