SDPI demands direct Haj flights From Mangaluru

Mangaluru: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has urged that the long-pending Mangaluru Haj Bhavan project should be initiated immediately, and direct flights for the Haj pilgrimage from Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) should be resumed.Anwar Sadath Bajathur, SDPI district president, told reporters on Monday that promises of constructing the Haj Bhavana were made for 15 years, but no progress was seen. He blamed the delay on the lack of willpower among the district's Muslim representatives and leaders.Every year, 16 lakh people participate in the Haj pilgrimage, with 1.7 lakh from India, 7,500 from Karnataka, and over 1,300 from the Dakshina Kannada district, he said, adding that it is challenging for many elderly pilgrims to travel to Bengaluru three days in advance for the pilgrimage.The delay in the construction of Haj Bhavan was attributed to the unavailability of govt land around Mangaluru, he said, and suggested that encroached waqf properties could have been cleared for the building.Congress leader Inayat Ali donated land near Bajpe from his family, registered it under the Haj Committee, and the govt released Rs 10 crore, yet the project has not started. He emphasised the need to commence the project soon and to resume direct flights from Mangaluru as before the Covid-19 pandemic.