MALAPPURAM: Uncertainty looms large over this year's embarkation point of the Haj pilgrimage from Kerala, Lakshadweep and Mahe. In addition, the Union Government has turned down the demands of the Kerala State Haj Committee regarding the embarkation point and reserved category for fifth-time applicants. Kerala's demand for some more time to draw the lots of applicants since a quota case was pending before the Supreme Court was also rejected.
The state Haj committee had requested postponing the drawing of lots of applicants in the state as its plea demanding the reinstatement for the reserved category of fifth-time applicants was slated to be heard by the apex court on January 31. "The centre is adamant and not ready to consider the issues of pilgrims from Kerala and have asked that the draw of lots be conducted by Monday," said E.T. Muhammed Basheer, MP, Kerala's representative at the central Haj committee.
Meanwhile, the state Haj panel made it clear that it would not carry out the draw of lots by Tuesday to select the pilgrims from the state. The central Haj committee is likely to carry out the draw of lots for Kerala as per schedule. "We will not carry out the draw of lots. State panel is ready follow directions of the central panel. But the list of pilgrims from Kerala will be finalised only based on the Supreme Court ruling expected on January 30," said Thodiyoor Muhammed Kunhi Musliyar, chairman of state Haj committee.
Mr Basheer said that the situation was leading to huge confusion over the only embarkation point in the state which had temporarily shifted two years ago to Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery from Calicut International Airport in Karipur. "The facilities which were made available for the annual Haj camp in the past two years at Nedumbassery have been cut short. The airport has taken over these facilities for their use and this year's camp cannot be set up there," Mr Basheer pointed out.
The Haj panel was expecting a positive response from the Centre to its demand to restore the embarkation point at Karipur as the stage is set for the final nod for the resumption of operation of wide-bodied aircraft from Karipur. Karipur has all facilities to set up the annual Haj camp including the Haj House, the headquarters of the state Haj panel. The Karipur airport authority submitted a report to the Airports Authority of India informing them the runway was fit for the services of wide-bodied (Code E) aircraft and recommended its restoration.
