'Please don't play politics with Haj': Kiren Rijiju after opposition leaders flag quota cut

Rijiju visited Saudi Arabia in January 2025 to guarantee smooth arrangements for Indian pilgrims

After Saudi Arabia reopened the Nusuk site to accept an additional 10,000 Indian pilgrims, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said “please don't play politics with religious Haj issue”.

Rijiju’s comment comes a day after a host of Opposition leaders — including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah — sought the External Affairs Ministry’s intervention over Saudi Arabia reportedly ‘cutting’ India’s private Haj quota this year.

“Haj arrangements are done as per Saudi rules, regulations, and their timeliness. HCOI and CGI completed all the work for 1,22,000 pilgirms on time. Unfortunately, the private operators could not finalise the contracts and make payments as per the advanced Saudi timelines this year. No extension of time was also allowed this year by the Saudi Govt. The Govt. of India took up the matter with the Saudi Govt,” Rijiju posted on X.

Pls don't play politics with religious Hajj issue.Haj arrangements are done as per Saudi rules, regulations, and their timeliness. HCOI and CGI completed all the work for 1,22,000 pilgirms on time.Unfortunately, the private operators could not finalise the contracts and make https://t.co/9CwSdabtgX
Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) April 17, 2025

According to a report by Times of India, the Hajj Committee of India was responsible for 70% of the 1,75,025 initial allotment for Indian pilgrims in 2025. Meanwhile, private CHGOs handled the remaining 30%. The report stated that most CHGOs were unable to meet the dates set by the Saudi authorities due to delays in concluding contracts for Mina camps, lodging, and transportation. This raised concern about the participation of 52,000 Indian pilgrims.

Rijiju visited Saudi Arabia in January 2025 to guarantee smooth arrangements for Indian pilgrims.  He also engaged in talks with Saudi leaders and took part in the first session of the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition.

The 2025 Haj pilgrimage is provisionally scheduled for June 4–9, based on the moon sighting that marks the beginning of Zil-Hajj, the final month of the Islamic calendar.