Govt Haj policy bars differenly-abled people: Delhi HC seeks Centre's response on plea seeking quashing of policy

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Centre's response on a plea seeking quashing of certain provisions in the new policy for Haj pilgrims that bar differently-abled people from undertaking the annual Haj pilgrimage.

File image of Delhi High Court. PTI

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Hari Shankar issued notice to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Haj Committee of India on the petition alleging that some provisions of the new policy violated Articles 14, 21 and 25-pertaining to equality and freedom to practice religion of the Constitution.

The court directed authorities to file their response by 11 April on the petition filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal.

The guidelines under the 'eligibility for Haj' mentions that any Indian citizen who is a Muslim can apply for the pilgrimage except those "who do not have the mental or physical health to perform the pilgrimage, persons whose legs are amputated, who are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physically/mentally incapacitated".