₹160 Crore In Limbo: Pune Hajj Pilgrims Await Refund After Private Hajj Quota Scrapped

Over 2,000 private Hajj pilgrims from Pune are left in turmoil after Saudi Arabia abruptly cancelled the quota of 42,000 pilgrims allocated to India’s private tour operators—Certified Hajj Group Organisers (CHGOs) and Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs). The move has shattered the dreams of thousands of devout Muslims who had deposited money, averaging ₹8 to ₹10 lakh per pilgrimage, for the once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Over ₹160 crore collectively paid

According to estimates by Hajj committee experts in Pune, more than ₹160 crore was collectively paid by these private pilgrims, many of whom are now facing severe financial strain, as there has been no clear communication or refund from the concerned tour operators.

Despite repeated follow-ups and formal complaints, pilgrims allege that most private operators have maintained complete silence, neither offering a refund timeline nor accepting responsibility for the crisis. Many pilgrims invested their lifetime savings in the Hajj 2025 journey, only to be left high and dry after the sudden cancellation.

“We have received numerous complaints where pilgrims are not even getting a basic response from the operators. These are hard-earned life savings, and not just numbers. When people pay ₹8 to ₹10 lakh for promised best-in-class amenities, they deserve transparency and accountability,” said Jaymala Dhankikar, civic rights activist and social worker.

This controversy has stirred outrage not only over the financial distress but also over the lack of government intervention. Despite the seriousness of the situation, no official statement has been issued either by the Ministry of Minority Affairs or the Maharashtra State Haj Committee addressing the plight of these pilgrims.

“This is no longer just about a religious journey. It’s now about faith, trust, and justice. The government must act now to ensure confidence in the system is restored,” said Saleem Mulla, President of the Maharashtra Wakf Liberation and Protection Taskforce.

He called for the immediate formation of a government-appointed task force to hold a joint meeting of all private Hajj operators based in Pune, establish clear refund timelines, and make the entire private quota system transparent and accountable to the public.

The urgency of the issue can be seen by the fact that applications for Hajj 2026 through the Central Haj Committee are already underway, with the deadline set for July 31, 2025. Thousands of aspirants are now hesitant to apply through the private quota again, fearing another betrayal without resolution of the ongoing crisis.

“How can we trust the system again when we haven't even been refunded from last year? The silence is deafening,” said a pilgrim from Kondhwa, who had deposited ₹8.5 lakh in early 2025 and has received no updates since.

With public faith at stake and over ₹160 crore of community funds in limbo, civic groups and religious leaders are calling this not just a financial scandal, but a spiritual betrayal.

Demands:

Immediate Refund Timeline: Clear, written communication from private operators on refund status.

Government-Backed Task Force: To investigate the cancellation, financial transactions, and operator accountability.

Transparency in Quota System: Make the criteria and allotment process for private Hajj quota public.

Official Government Statement: From the Ministry of Minority Affairs and Maharashtra Hajj Committee addressing the crisis.

Legal Action Against Defaulting Operators: Initiate FIRs and financial investigations into possible misuse or mismanagement of funds.