Don't beat the drum on Haj subsidy, you are merely following SC order: Owaisi to Centre

Hitting out at the BJP government for taking the credit for a Supreme Court verdict that had directed the Centre to gradually end the Haj subsidy, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi today said he has been asking to withdraw the financial aid since 2006. 

"I've been saying since 2006 that this Haj subsidy money should be used for education of Muslim children, especially girls. Zyaada baaja bajane ki zarurat nahi hai, 2012 mein Supreme Court ka judgement aa chuka tha. (Don't beat the drum, the Supreme Court verdict regarding this came in 2012)" the Hyderabad MP was quoted as saying by ANI.

"Haj Subsidy this year it is 200 crore & it would have been phased out by 2022 as per Supreme Court order, since 2006 I have been demanding that should be removed & used for Muslim girls education upliftment," he said on Twitter.  

He challenged the Narendra Modi government to "walk the talk by allocating Rs 2,0000 crores for Muslim girls scholarships (pre matric, post matric,merit cum means)."  "Will Modi do it I doubt, will wait and see in next budget 18-19," he said. 

In a series of tweets, Owaisi asked if the Centre and the governments in various states end the subsidy provided to Hindu pilgrims too.

"Haj Subsidy BJP /RSS had called It appeasement,vote Bank Pol my Qs to BJP will you bring a Bill in parliament remove Article 290A of Constitution, Will BJP Tell Yogi govt to stop Rs 800 crore for pilgrimage to Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura 1.5 lakh to each Manasarovar yatri?" he asked. "3 Qs to BJP/RSS Why did Haryana government give 1 Crore to Dera Sacha Sauda was it for electoral appeasement?4qs why did Modi govt gave grant of 100 crore to MP govt for Simhastha Maha Kumbh & MP govt had spent 3,400 crore was this not appeasement?" 

In another tweet, the Lok Sabha MP said, "Rajasthan govt allocated 38.91 crores in 17-18 for Devasthan dept, last government had Rs 260 milllion for temple renovation & training of Hindu Priests is this Not Appeasement & Vote Bank Politics."

Also targeting the Congress government in Karnataka, Owaisi said, "Karnataka Congress govt which is practising Janedharu politics is giving Rs 20,000 to each pilgrims who undertake pilgrimage to Chardham so is this Not Appeasement of Majority."