Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah voices concern over reported 80% cut in India’s private Hajj quota

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday raised alarm over reports that India’s private Hajj quota has been suddenly slashed by 80 per cent. She urged the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the issue with authorities in Saudi Arabia.

Calling the development “disturbing,” Mufti said the unexpected cut has caused anxiety among pilgrims and tour operators.

“Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80% of India’s private Haj quota has been cut abruptly. This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The office of Jammu and Kashmir’s former chief minister Omar Abdullah also reacted, describing the reported cancellation of Hajj slots for more than 52,000 Indian pilgrims — many of whom have already paid — as “deeply concerning.”

“I urge Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities at the earliest to explore a resolution in the interest of all affected pilgrims. This measure is crucial to ease the distress of thousands hoping to undertake the sacred pilgrimage this year,” a post from Abdullah’s office said on X.

A recent report in The Times of India stated that the fate of around 52,000 Indian pilgrims is uncertain after Saudi Arabia cancelled certain zones in Mina that had been allotted earlier to private tour operators.

When is Hajj 2025?

Hajj in 2025 is expected to take place from June 4 to June 9, depending on the sighting of the moon that marks the beginning of Zil-Hajj, the final month of the Islamic calendar.

Indian pilgrims are likely to begin their journey to Saudi Arabia by the end of April.

In India, Hajj travel is arranged either through the Hajj Committee of India, which comes under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, or through authorised private tour operators known as Hajj Group Organisers.

In January 2025, India signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia confirming a total Hajj quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims. The agreement was signed in Jeddah by Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Saudi Arabia's Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.