Plea seeks subsidy for non-Muslim pilgrims

New Delhi: A city-based lawyer Wednesday moved the Supreme
Court seeking its direction to the government to grant monetary aid,
matching the Haj subsidy, to non-Muslim pilgrims.

The petition
seeking government aid for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists
undertaking pilgrims within and outside the country was filed by
advocate Ashok Pandey.

The petition said that like Haj pilgrims,
people from other religions undertaking their pilgrimages to countries
like Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China too should be
given monetary aid by the government.

The petitioner also sought
the court direction to the government to undertake diplomatic
negotiations with Sri Lanka to ensure unhindered access of Hindu
pilgrims to Ashok Vatika in that country, where according to Ramayana
Lord Rama’s wife Sita was kept hostage.

The advocate said Hindu pilgrims should be allowed to visit Sri Lanka without travel documents like passports and visa.

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