Reduction in private Hajj quota puts Kashmir's Hajj and Umrah service operators at crossroads

Srinagar, Apr 15The dreams of hundreds of Kashmiri pilgrims hang in the balance as Saudi Arabia slashes India's private Hajj quota by a staggering 80 percent. With payments already made and spiritual hopes soaring, local Hajj and Umrah service operators now face the heart-wrenching task  of telling four out of every five pilgrims their sacred journey won't happen this year.

In a significant development affecting thousands of Indian pilgrims, Saudi Arabia has reportedly reduced India's private Hajj quota by approximately 80 percent this year. Out of the 52,507 slots previously allocated to private tour operators, only 10,000 will now be available, creating turmoil for both Hajj service providers and aspiring pilgrims.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs announced Tuesday that the Saudi Hajj Ministry has agreed to reopen its Hajj Portal for Combined Hajj Group Operators (CHGOs) to complete arrangements for 10,000 pilgrims based on current space availability in Mina. The ministry cited delays by private operators in finalising mandatory contracts for accommodation, transportation, and Mina camps as required under Saudi regulations.

The situation has particularly impacted Kashmiri tour operators, who now face difficult decisions about which pilgrims to accommodate with their severely limited allocation.

Sheikh Feroz, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Association of Hajj Umrah Companies, expressed profound distress over the drastic quota reduction, describing it as an unprecedented crisis for the industry.

"It is an extremely difficult situation for Hajj and Umrah companies as we are caught in this predicament through absolutely no fault of our own," Feroz explained. "We face an impossible dilemma - how do we fairly decide which pilgrims can still make their sacred journey and which must have their spiritual hopes dashed? Many have been planning this pilgrimage for years, saving every penny, and we now must be the bearers of heartbreaking news."

Feroz emphasised that beyond the immediate emotional and logistical challenges, the long-term ramifications could be devastating. "This situation threatens to permanently damage the reputation and financial stability of our companies. Many pilgrims have already paid in full, and we've transferred significant sums to our Saudi partners. The refund process is extraordinarily complicated, and some funds may be irrecoverable," he said.

"We desperately need intervention at the highest levels of government," Feroz added, specifically calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally engage with Saudi authorities. "Only through diplomatic channels at the leadership level can we hope to see the original quota restored. Otherwise, both the pilgrims' spiritual aspirations and the entire Hajj service industry in Kashmir face catastrophic consequences."

Umar Nazir Tibetbaqal, General Secretary of the All Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Umrah Tour Operators Association revealed that of the approximately 500 pilgrims registered through private Hajj service providers in Kashmir this year, only 110 will now be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage.

"We had around 500 pilgrims registered through private Hajj service providers this year. But now, as per the new Saudi directive, only 110 will be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage through us," Tibetbaqal said.

He further explained that most pilgrims had already paid the full amount for the pilgrimage, and service providers had transferred these payments to agents based in Saudi Arabia. "This has left the Hajj aspirants in despair and peril. The refund process is a major challenge. How are we supposed to retrieve the payments already made to Saudi-based agents?" he questioned.

Tibetbaqal noted that beyond the financial implications, the emotional toll on pilgrims is significant. "Hajj is a deeply spiritual and emotional journey. The abrupt change has hurt the sentiments of many aspiring pilgrims," he said. He also warned that the decision could damage trust in private service providers: "This move will make people apprehensive to utilize perform pilgrimage via private service providers in the future. It shakes the foundation of our operations."

Aspiring pilgrims have also voiced their distress. "It has come as a shock. We don't know whose names comes out in the list now. We are deeply stressed and confused," said Bashir Ahmad, an aspirant who had been planning for years to undertake the pilgrimage.

According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, India's total Hajj quota has actually increased from 136,020 in 2014 to 175,025 in 2025. The ministry oversees arrangements for 122,518 pilgrims through the Hajj Committee of India, while the remaining 52,507 slots were allocated to private tour operators.

This year, due to changes in Saudi guidelines, more than 800 private tour operators were consolidated into 26 legal entities termed Combined Hajj Group Operators (CHGOs). Despite being allocated quotas well in advance, these operators reportedly failed to comply with necessary timelines set by Saudi authorities to finalise mandatory contracts.

Several opposition leaders have voiced concern over the development.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar "to engage with the Saudi authorities at the earliest to explore a resolution in the interest of all affected pilgrims." National Conference president Farooq Abdullah appealed directly to Prime Minister Modi, while PDP president Mehbooba Mufti described the situation as causing "immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country."

The Government of India has stated that it "would naturally appreciate any gesture by Saudi authorities to accommodate more pilgrims" and has directed the CHGOs to urgently complete their work through the reopened Hajj Portal for the 10,000 pilgrims currently permitted.