Srinagar, April 14: Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and President of the ruling National Conference (NC), Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his friendship with the rulers of Saudi Arabia to get the private Hajj quota restored.

The government of Saudi Arabia has slashed India’s private Hajj quota by 80 per cent.

Each year, many Muslims belonging to well-to-do families undertake the Hajj pilgrimage using the services of private tour and travel operators.

These tour and travel operators get a quota of pilgrims every year that they can send to Saudi Arabia over and above the Hajj quota allotted to India officially by the Saudi government.

Each year, hundreds of pilgrims use the services of private tour and travel operators to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which is the holiest journey a Muslim can ever undertake in life.

Dr Farooq Abdullah said on Monday, “I appeal to the Prime Minister to use his personal influence on the Saudi rulers to restore the private Hajj quota. We (India) have very good relations with Saudi Arabia.

“The Prime Minister is a friend of the Saudi rulers. If they cannot increase the private Hajj quota, let them restore what we already had. It has implications on jobs of many people.

“And over and above everything else, Hajj is the lifelong desire of a Muslim. A Muslim saves all his life to afford the Hajj pilgrimage. It is one of the basic duties of a devout Muslim to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

“I will also tell Omar (Chief Minister) to write a letter to the Prime Minister to use his influence to get the private Hajj quota restored.”

On Sunday, former Chief Minister and President of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti also expressed concern at the development.

“Disturbing news emerging from Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that 80 per cent 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 said on social media platform X.

Bhopal, April 14: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday announced that his government would make all necessary arrangements, similar to a pilgrimage, for those who wish to visit Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow), the birthplace of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, to pay tribute to the iconic leader.

This proclamation was made during a gathering in Ambedkar Nagar, formerly known as Mhow, in celebration of the 134th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasised the profound significance of the Dr Ambedkar Memorial in Ambedkar Nagar, along with other locations that symbolise his struggles and contributions to society.

He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to honour Dr Ambedkar’s legacy through the establishment of ‘Panchteerth’, a series of five sites intricately linked to his life’s journey. These include Ambedkar Nagar, where he was born; London, where he pursued his higher education; Nagpur, where he embraced Buddhism; Delhi, marking the site of his final moments; and Mumbai, where he was laid to rest.

Each of these locations has been selected to reflect pivotal milestones in Dr Ambedkar’s remarkable life. Yadav assured the audience that the state government would facilitate arrangements for those visiting Ambedkar Nagar to pay homage to the legendary reformer, who championed the cause of social equality.

In his address, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment, stating, “Our government will ensure comprehensive arrangements for everyone paying homage to Dr Ambedkar. No effort will be spared.” CM Yadav spoke passionately about Dr Ambedkar’s pivotal role in introducing reservations to promote equality for the underprivileged and his dedication to incorporating safeguards within the Constitution to secure India’s future. Over time, Ambedkar Nagar has become a revered pilgrimage destination, drawing devotees and admirers from across India and abroad, paying homage to Dr Ambedkar’s enduring legacy, he said.

His government has already launched a scheme named as Dr Ambedkar Animal Husbandry Development Scheme. It aims to bolster milk production and safeguard cattle welfare. Under the scheme, the state government supports individuals, mainly from scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and backward classes, managing 25 cows or buffaloes in a group, categorised as one unit. Participants are allowed to expand their operations to up to eight units, thereby encouraging growth in the sector. Preparations for the implementation of the scheme are set to commence this year, with the bidding process nearing completion.

The scheme extends its vision to support large-scale enterprises, providing grants to individuals managing up to 200 cattle for milk and dairy production, the chief minister said. This initiative aspires to foster rural economic growth, integrating modern innovations with traditional practices, while addressing the welfare of abandoned cattle. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow) has emerged as a major pilgrimage site for Dr Ambedkar’s followers, attracting visitors from across India and abroad.

Ranchi, April 14: Jharkhand Minority Welfare Minister and a leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Hafizul Hasan Ansari sparked a huge controversy when he said that Islamic law, Shariat, is above the Indian Constitution.

His remarks, made during a conversation with a local media channel, have ignited a political storm in the state.

Senior BJP leaders have strongly condemned his statement and are now calling for his removal from the Cabinet.

In the conversation, Ansari said, “Shariat is bigger for me. We keep the Quran in our hearts and the Constitution in our hands. Muslims walk with the Quran in their hearts and the Constitution in their hands. So, we will hold onto the Shariat first, then the Constitution. This is what my Islam teaches me.”

Reacting sharply, Jharkhand BJP President, Babulal Marandi, took to social media, criticising Ansari’s remarks.

“For Minister Hafizul Hasan, Shariat matters more than the Constitution, as he is clearly focussed on his ‘goal’ and loyal only to his community. During the elections, he sought votes from the poor, Dalits, and tribals, but now he is trying to advance an Islamic agenda,” Marandi wrote.

Marandi further labelled the statement as “dangerous” and warned, “This radical thinking is becoming a threat to the cultural and tribal identity of the entire state, particularly in Santhal Pargana. When someone in a constitutional position promotes radical ideology, it poses a threat not only to the present but also to future generations.”

The BJP leader also urged politicians from all parties to rise above political affiliations and address the issue. “Shariat contradicts the basic principles of the Constitution written by Babasaheb Ambedkar. If Rahul Gandhi and Hemant Soren truly believe in the Constitution, they must immediately remove Hafizul Hasan from the Cabinet,” Marandi demanded.

Union Minister of State for Defence and Ranchi BJP MP, Sanjay Seth, also condemned Ansari’s statement, calling it unfortunate.

“On a day when the entire country is honouring Dr Ambedkar and the Constitution, a Jharkhand Minister who took oath on the Constitution is saying that Shariat is above it. This is a misfortune for our democracy. Shariat can never take precedence over the Constitution,” Seth said.

Godda BJP MP, Nishikant Dubey, claimed that the Congress and its allies do not respect Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s Constitution.

Sharing the video of Ansari’s statement on social media, Dubey wrote, “This is the Jharkhand government Minister Hafizul Ansari, who believes Shariat law — essentially the Muslim Constitution — comes before any other Constitution. The media won’t speak on this because this is what the INDIA alliance stands for.”