The return of 2,150 Haj pilgrims from the Vidarbha region begins june 30, with the first flight landing at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport at 3:45 PM. Pilgrims had departed from Nagpur last month for the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
According to Asif Khan, Chairman of the Maharashtra State Haj Committee, five flights will bring back the pilgrims between June 30 and July 3, each carrying 430 passengers. Elaborate reception arrangements — including Namaz spaces, shaded tents, and a dedicated welcome stage — have been set up.
But this year, a long-standing support system has been scrapped — Khadems (volunteers) who usually help elderly pilgrims manage their luggage have been denied airport access. The move has sparked concern and frustration among families, especially those with senior or ailing pilgrims.
Despite formal requests by the Haj Committee, airport authorities refused entry passes, citing previous incidents where volunteers caused congestion and chaos, prioritizing selfies over service.
Chairman Asif Khan defended the decision as “thoughtful,” but many believe the blanket ban punishes genuine volunteers and adds unnecessary burden on returning pilgrims.
The Haj Committee claims it has made alternative arrangements outside the terminal, but critics say it’s a logistical failure and a lack of empathy for vulnerable pilgrims.
As families prepare to reunite with loved ones, the absence of on-ground support inside the terminal casts a shadow over what should be a moment of joy and relief.
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