NEW DELH : On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the over 4,000 Muslim women who performed the Haj this year without wearing a “mehram” as a “huge transformation” and claimed that thanks to his government‘s recent changes to the Haj policy, more and more people were now able to participate in the annual pilgrimage.This year, more than 4,000 Indian women performed Haj without a “mehram,” which is the highest number since the 2018 amendment that ended the requirement that women travel with a male companion. Modi claimed in his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address that he had this time received several messages from Muslim ladies who had just returned from the Haj pilgrimage.”In many respects, their path is incredibly special. This is a significant development because the number of these women who did Haj alone or without a mehram or male companion is over 4,000, not 50 or 100, the prime minister stated. According to Modi, Muslim women were previously prohibited from performing the Haj without a “mehram.” “I also express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Saudi Arabia through Mann Ki Baat,” he stated. The prime minister stated that women coordinators were specifically appointed for women performing Haj without a “mehram,” and he added that people are very appreciative of the reforms made to the Haj Policy in recent years. I’ve received numerous letters concerning this from our Muslim mothers and sisters. More and more people are now having the opportunity to perform the Haj. Especially our moms and sisters’ blessings through their letters, the Haj pilgrims’ blessings are quite inspiring in and of themselves, Modi remarked. His comments coincide with the BJP’s claims that the Modi administration has taken numerous measures to empower Muslim women, including passing a law outlawing triple talaq. For this year, a quota of 1,75,025 Hajj pilgrims had been allotted to India. The yearly observance takes place at the end of June.
