By TCN Special Correspondent,
Luknow: The VIP status of senior cabinet minister and Chairman, State Haj Committee, (SHC) Naseemuddin Siddiqui instigated vociferous protest by the devotees proceeding from Haj House in Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow on Saturday.
On Saturday, Siddiqui arrived with his entrouge and paraphernalia on an inspection at the Haj House. Due to his movement, the main gate was closed leaving several devotees and their companions outside the campus. This infuriated the devotees who resorted to slogan shouting against the minister. Persistent pacification by the officials of SHC failed to convince them. “We are going for our religious voyage, instead of extending facilities these ministers are causing hindrances,” argued Mohd. Bashir,a devotee from Bahraich district. Later, Naseemuddin Siddiqui left with instructions to the officials for improving the facilities and taking all possible care of the devotees.
In another incident, the pilgrims who had left for Saudi Arabia from Lucknow on Thursday landed in Jeddah instead of scheduled at Medina in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Airlines which had tendered an apology citing technical problem flew back the devotees to Medina on Saturday.
However, their luggage has still been left at Jeddah creating problem for them. With no cash and lack of essential items as toothbrush, soaps and other utilities the Hajis are left stranded in Medina. Some of the relatives who arrived in Haj House to know the update about them complained that it has resulted in a situation where even some well-off Hajis are left in a penuric state on foreign soil.
Surprisingly, the SHC officials claimed that only the Central Haj Committee of India and external affairs ministry can co-ordinate in this episode.
Meanwhile, as per official release 898 devotees left from Amausi Airport for Saudi Arabia with three flights on Saturday.