The Ministry of Minority Affairs today said it is committed to making Haj accessible and affordable for every Indian Muslim. The Ministry said this in a social media post as concerns arose on several media platforms regarding an increase in Haj airfare. It clarified that airlines had demanded three hundred to four hundred dollars due to rising fuel costs amid the West Asia crisis; however, the Ministry capped it at one hundred dollars per pilgrim, saving two to three hundred dollars. It pointed out that the government has absorbed pressure and is protecting pilgrims from a far larger burden. The process was transparent and lawful, ensuring Haj 2026 operations are not disrupted for over a lakh registered pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that he respects the sentiments of countless families that Haj is a once-in-a-lifetime dream. The Minister said that the Government ensured through negotiations that the increase was restricted to just one hundred dollars, saving each pilgrim a significant amount. He further informed that the decision was taken transparently, in good faith, to ensure no disruption in the Haj 2026 operations.