Mehbooba, Stalin Call For Centre's Intervention After Saudi Arabia 'Cancels' 52K Hajj Slots

Leaders across party lines in Jammu and Kashmir have sought the Union government’s intervention after a report claimed that Saudi Arabia had cancelled zone allocations for Indians undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage through private tours, leaving over 52,000 pilgrims in the lurch.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the development “deeply concerning” and urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to engage with Saudi Arabia authorities at the earliest to resolve the matter.

Abdullah noted that several Indians had already completed payments for the Hajj pilgrimage this year.