Central Hajj Committee Chairman informs why M'luru Airport was removed as embarkation point for Hajj
Here's what he said
Mangaluru: The Muslim Central Committee Dakshina Kannada, Udupi districts on Thursday submitted a memorandum to A. P. Abdullakutty, the Chairman of the Hajj Committee of India after the Mangaluru International Airport was removed from the embarkation point for the Hajj pilgrims for the year 2023.
The memorandum urged Abdullakutty to consider granting the embarkation point status again adding that removing it from the list has caused inconveniences to people from Dakshina Kannada and other neighboring districts who had chosen Mangaluru Airport as their embarkation point for their pilgrimage.
Speaking after accepting the memorandum, A. P. Abdullakutty noted that the Mangaluru International Airport was initially considered by the Central Hajj Committee as an embarkation point for Hajj this year but due to the lesser number of pilgrims choosing it as their embarkation point, it was removed from the list.
“There were less than 300 applications that selected the Mangaluru International Airport, so when the international tender was sent to air carriers Mangaluru was removed from the list. It is not controlled by the Centre or the Hajj Committee,” Abdullakutty told Vartha Bharati.
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When asked about the inconveniences being faced by the pilgrims who had selected Mangaluru Airport as their embarkation point, Abdullakutty said the Hajj Committee will discuss the issue and come out with a solution for the pilgrims. He also assured that the pilgrims will be facilitated their embarkation either from Kannur or from Bengaluru.
When asked if Mangaluru Airport will be further considered as an embarkation point in the future, Abdullakutty added that the Hajj Committee would consider it if more pilgrims opt for it as their favored embarkation point next year.
Earlier, Mangaluru International Airport was removed as an embarkation point, prompting social media debates and concerns adding that the people of Coastal Karnataka were being caused inconvenience due to the move.
In 2019, pilgrims from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Shivamogga, and other districts embarked on the Hajj pilgrimage from Mangaluru International Airport. In 2020, and 2021 owing to the Pandemic the pilgrimage was not facilitated while in 2022 the majority of the passengers from these districts embarked on the pilgrimage from Bengaluru Airport. After Mangaluru airport not being included in the embarkation point this year, the pilgrims have expressed confusion and dissent over urging the Hajj Committee to intervene and include Mangaluru as one of the embarkation points for Hajj 2023.
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Cabinet reshuffle is CM's prerogative in consultation with Cong high command: G Parameshwara
Bengaluru(PTI): Amid speculation that a cabinet reshuffle was on the cards, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister and he would take a decision in consultation with the state Congress President and the high command.
Deputy CM and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar's statement on Tuesday indicating the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle in the days ahead, noting that few Ministers have been given a "message" about their term, has further fueled the speculations about the rejig.
"I don't know about it. Cabinet reshuffle is the Chief Minister's prerogative. He will consult the Pradesh Congress Committee President and go about it, this has been the practice. I don't know what decisions they make. It has to be done in consultation with the high command," Parameshwara told reporters.
To a question on Shivakumar's statement, he said, "He (Shivakumar) is the party state President, I don't know what messages he has sent (to some Ministers)."
Speculations are rife about a cabinet reshuffle and evaluation of the performance of the Ministers ever since the Lok Sabha poll results. There has also been demand from a section of MLAs, who are Ministerial aspirants, to be inducted into the cabinet. Some have openly expressed their wish to become Ministers.
To a question on a seer's comments that the voting rights of Muslims should be revoked, the Home Minister said, making remarks contrary to the Constitution is not right, and no one should speak or go against it.
"Probably he (seer) has not properly seen the principles of the Constitution and the rights and opportunities provided in it for every community and religion. It is clear in the Constitution," he said.
Asked about Congress MLA H R Gaviyappa publicly asking the CM to drop at least two of the five ‘guarantee’ schemes to provide money for development works, the state Home Minister said, "Any legislator asking for funds to his constituency is not wrong, so Gaviyappa is not wrong in asking for funds for his constituency."
"But unfortunately he has expressed his personal opinion regarding the guarantee schemes. That has been taken by the party and the government. We had promised the people of the state that we will full the promises, so we are implementing them. We cannot go back on that," he added.
Deputy CM Shivakumar had on Tuesday said he would issue a showcause notice to Gaviyappa and warned party leaders against making such statements regarding guarantee schemes.
Responding to a question on an Assamese girl found murdered at a serviced apartment in east Bengaluru, Parameshwra said such incidents in a way bring bad name to the city.
"It (alleged murder) is on very personal grounds. Both of them (suspect and victim) knew each other and were in love. They had stayed in a hotel room and he has stabbed her there. Both of them are outsiders. She is from Assam and he is from Kerala. Police keep watch on such things, but when such incidents occur, it in a way brings a bad name to the city," he said.
Asked about the suicide of a woman, who is a suspect in the alleged scam in Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation, the Minister said investigation is on, can't say anything further until the probe is over.
On the protest by prisoners against the jail authorities at Kalaburagi central prison, alleging lack of facilities there, Parameshwara said he will speak to DG (Director General) Prisons about it.
"Already we have reviewed all the jails. If there are any necessities there it will be fulfilled. I will give instructions to the DG," he said.
