Haj pilgrims still waiting for luggage

Haj pilgrims still waiting for luggage

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jan 6: Although the Hajj pilgrims returned to Mangalore from their pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia nearly a month back, they have still not received their luggage. Nearly 400 of the 872 Hajj pilgrims who returned to Mangalore are yet to receive their luggage, which contains their sacred Zam Zam water and dates. The Karnataka State Haj Committee (KSHC) has pointed fingers of blame at the Haj Committee of India (HCI).

 

The first batch of pilgrims returned to Mangalore on Oct 28; and the tour operator of Saudi Arabia, who had won the global tender called for by the HCI, chartered a Turkish Airlines flight. Although each plane could hold only 200 passengers, 20 more were crammed in and the luggage had to be left behind. As a result, a number of pilgrims landed at the airport empty handed, while their luggage was sent to Mumbai.

KSHC Chairman S. Mohammed Ghouse Basha said that the Saudi Arabian tour operator is responsible for this mess. Stating that the Haj pilgrims are not the only ones inconvenienced by this problem, Basha said that the tour operator knew nothing about Haj tour organization and blamed the HCI for giving it the contract. Basha also said that this happens every year, although the situation is the worst this year.

The luggage that has been in Mumbai for the past one week will be flown to Kozhikode on Thursday, he said, adding that it will then be transported to Mangalore by road on the night of Friday or Saturday. He also said that each pilgrim will be allowed just two bags from the following year to avoid such problems.