Non-Muslim officer appointed as CEO of Maharashtra State Hajj Committee, sparks debate
Mumbai: For the first time in its history, the Maharashtra State Hajj Committee has appointed a non-Muslim as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a move that has triggered debate and concern among sections of the Muslim community, according to a report by Free Press Journal.
IAS officer Manoj Jadhav has taken charge as the new CEO of the committee, succeeding Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Aslam. The appointment is being seen as unprecedented, as the committee is responsible for overseeing arrangements related to the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The Maharashtra State Hajj Committee plays a key role in implementing the quota allotted by the Saudi government and facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage for Indian citizens. Of the nearly 1.75 lakh pilgrims who travel from India every year, a majority are managed through Hajj committees, while around one-fourth travel through private Hajj operators.
Jadhav’s appointment has raised questions about a non-Muslim holding an administrative position linked to the supervision of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. Religious leaders have expressed apprehension over whether a non-Muslim official would be able to fully understand the religious practices, rituals and sensitivities associated with Hajj.
Shuaib Khatib, trustee of Jama Masjid in Mumbai, said that while an experienced government officer may have administrative expertise, there are concerns about whether he would be familiar with the religious aspects of the pilgrimage. He also pointed out that Saudi authorities do not permit non-Muslims to enter the core areas of the Hajj pilgrimage and questioned how an officer would be able to fully grasp the issues faced by Indian pilgrims at the holy sites.
Some residents have also voiced strong opposition to the appointment, stating that Hajj is a core religious duty in Islam and the fifth pillar of the faith. They argued that appointing a non-Muslim as CEO of the state Hajj committee is objectionable and unacceptable under any circumstances.
Meanwhile, the Hajj pilgrimage for 2026 has tentatively been scheduled between May 25 and May 30, subject to moon sighting. The Saudi Arabian government has issued guidelines for pilgrims, including a ban on cooking in camps and restrictions on carrying electric cookers. Pilgrims have been advised to carry essential medicines for five to six days, along with items such as umbrellas, sunglasses, plastic mats and protein bars.
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Foreign Secretary Misri reviews defence, trade ties, West Asia with senior US officials
Washington (PTI): India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met senior US officials here and discussed ways to further deepen the defence and trade relations and exchanged views on the developments in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.
On a three-day visit here, Misri met under secretaries Michael Duffey and Elbridge Colby in the Department of Defence, and under secretaries Jeffrey Kessler and William Kimmitt in the Department of Commerce.
“Sustaining the momentum of India-US defence exchanges, Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri had another wide ranging conversation with Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby @USWPColby at the Pentagon, covering the ongoing developments in the Indo-Pacific region and West Asia,” the Indian Embassy in the US said in a post on X.
Colby visited India last month and met Misri in New Delhi on the sidelines of the India-US Defence Policy Group meeting.
Misri also had a “fruitful interaction” with Duffey, the Under Secretary in the Department of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment, at the Pentagon near here.
“Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri had a fruitful interaction with the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Mike Duffey @USDASDuffey at the Pentagon,” the Indian Embassy said in another post on X.
The two principals discussed ways to further deepen the defence industrial, technology and supply chain linkages between India and the US, in line with the ambitious goals laid out in the Framework for the bilateral Major Defence Partnership signed last year, the embassy said.
Misri also met under secretaries Jeffrey Kessler and William Kimmitt in the Department of Commerce here.
Kessler is the Under Secretary for Bureau of Industry and Security, while Kimmitt is the Under Secretary for International Trade Administration.
“Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri met Under Secretaries Jeffrey Kessler @BISgov and William Kimmitt @TradeGov to expand cooperation in commercial and critical technologies – key to transforming the India-US partnership for the 21st century. They also discussed building resilient and trusted supply chains,” the embassy said.
Misri is visiting the US to review bilateral trade and defence relations and discuss global developments, including the crisis in West Asia.
His visit comes as both the US and India work to stabilise the ties after a spell of uncertainty and strain.
The relations witnessed a major downturn after the US imposed punitive tariffs on India, and President Donald Trump made controversial assertions regarding his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military clashes last May.
