Tamil Nadu BJP president Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan has said that the Centre’s decision to do away with Haj subsidy for Islamic pilgrims was taken based only on the directions in this regard issued by the Supreme Court in the past.

Tamilisai was at pains to drive home the point that this shouldn’t be viewed as a ‘religious’ decision taken by the BJP-led Govt. at the Centre. “It’s not the BJP’s decision to do so but it only followed the apex Court’s directions in this case,” she said while taking to newsmen yesterday in Chennai.

Commenting on the cut of subsidy to Haj pilgrims, something which hasn’t gone down well with the Islamic community, Tamilisai said that people of all religions have their right to undertake ‘yatras’ or pilgrimages based on their respective beliefs. “While Haj subsidy is granted for many years, why not such grants given to Hindus who consider visiting Kasi (Varanasi) as the ultimate religious act?” she asked.

“It (cutting Haj subsidy) ought to be viewed in the backdrop of the fact that India is a multi-cultural, muti-ethnic and pluralistic, secular and democratic country where all religious are viewed the same. After all, the revenue accruing from the Haj subsidy cut would only be spent for educating the girl child and as such, no section of the society should oppose this move,” Tamilisai concluded.