Swami Agnivesh welcomes Allhabad high court order on Haj subsidy

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Prominent social activist and Arya Samaj World Council President Swami Agnivesh has welcomed the decision of the Allahabad High Court, disallowing any form of government subsidy for Haj pilgrims, saying taxpayers' money should not be squandered on religious functions.

''The ban on subsidy should be applicable not only on the Haj, but also on the Mansarovar pilgrims and various other ways in which a secular government funds sectarian religious activities like the Kumbh Mela,'' Swami Agnivesh said in statement here today.

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad high court had recently ordered the government to stop the subsidy, holding it unconstitutional since it favoured one religious community over another.

He said neither the Centre nor state governments should subsidise any religious function whether by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.

''In tune with the fundamental duties of citizens as enshrined in Art. 51A of our Constitution, the government should discourage religious practices which are superstitious in nature or miracle mongering and instead should promote scientific temper,'' he said.

''But in no case, the tax payers' money should be allowed to be squandered on religious functions.'' Regarding the Haj subsidy, Swami Agnivesh pointed out that the government subsidy had been to domestic air carrier 'Indian' rather than to the pilgrims.

''Now the Haj Committee should be allowed to float global tenders for the airlines to facilitate tickets for nearly 80,000 Haj pilgrims annually,'' he suggested.

UNI/SKS MSJ PM1759