May 13, 2025 - An unprecedented crisis has emerged for private Hajj pilgrims in India regarding the 2025 pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia has suddenly cancelled the quota of 42,000 pilgrims allotted to India’s private tour operators (CHGOs/HGOs), leaving thousands of aspiring Hajj pilgrims’ dreams unfulfilled. Despite having deposited money, these 42,000 pilgrims are now unable to undertake the holy pilgrimage of Hajj, and hundreds of tour operators are facing severe financial losses.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs has said that the deposited amounts will be considered as advance payments for Hajj 2026, with the process expected to begin in June-July 2025. However, most pilgrims are rejecting this explanation, arguing that since they paid for Hajj 2025, how can their money be carried over to the next year without their consent?

Withholding Funds for Interest Earnings?

Affected pilgrims claim that the government has deliberately withheld their deposited funds to earn interest. Assuming an average payment of Rs 2 lakh per person, this adds up to thousands of crores of rupees, which could yield lakhs of rupees in daily interest. The Ministry appears to have aimed at benefiting from this interest income, the pilgrims allege.

Private Tour Operators the Worst Affected

Private tour operators are the worst hit by this decision. They had already made advance payments worth crores of rupees to Saudi companies for hotel bookings in Mecca and Medina, catering for pilgrims, local transport and tents and meals in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. These funds are now stuck with no clear path to recovery.

Several tour operators, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that a Ministry official charged them Rs 60,000 per seat to secure pilgrim quotas. Now that the quota has been cancelled, serious questions arise about the legality and accountability of such transactions. Tour operators are demanding a high-level investigation, asserting that such an inquiry would expose powerful individuals.

Silence of CHGOs and HGOs

One of the most disheartening aspects of this controversy is the silence of private tour operators, whether CHGOs or HGOs. A clear atmosphere of fear prevails among them — they worry that speaking out against the Ministry might result in their quotas being revoked or them being blacklisted next year.

Growing Tension

Both Hajj pilgrims and tour operators are feeling helpless and angry. Protests are erupting in various parts of the country. The situation is especially tense in Uttar Pradesh, where clashes between pilgrims and agencies appear imminent, and the risk of unfortunate incidents cannot be ruled out. This issue is no longer just about a religious journey — it has become a matter of faith, trust and justice.

There is an urgent need for the Government of India and the Ministry of Minority Affairs to bring transparency to the situation, announce a clear timeline for refunding the pilgrims’ money, and devise a concrete plan to compensate the tour operators for their losses.

Source: Media Reports