Direct Haj flight from Gujarat launched

By Our Special Correspondent

GANDHINAGAR, FEB. 7. Within a month after its controversial pro- Hindu decision, the BJP government in Gujarat has earned accolades from the minorities by launching a direct flight from Ahmedabad to Jeddah for the Haj pilgrims.

The Muslims were also thankful to the Chief Minister, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, for increasing the quota of the Haj pilgrims from the State. It was due to his efforts that the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, increased the quota.

The twin benefit will increase the BJP's stock in the eyes of the minorities. The first chartered flight to Jeddah carrying the Haj pilgrims was given a warm send-off at the Ahmedabad International Airport this evening by the Union Textile Minister, Mr. Kashiram Rana, the State Industries Minister, Mr. Suresh Mehta, who is also holding the charge of the Chief Minister in Mr. Patel's absence and several other members of the Patel Cabinet.

Gujarat had drawn flak for its pro-Hindu decision last month when it lifted the ban on the Government employees from participating in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

``The first flight to Jeddah creates a new chapter in the history of the State,'' said Mr. Mehta and Mr. Rana. The pilgrims present at the airport for the inaugural ceremony cheered the BJP government in the State and Centre for extending the facilities which the previous Congress(I) Governments did not provide.

The State Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP, today decided to launch various programmes and campaign for the protection of the State's international borders with Pakistan. It also decided to launch a ``Know Your Neighbour'' campaign to educate the people about the designs of Pakistan and urge them to be vigilant and inform the Yuva Morcha of suspicious movements or possible anti-national activities.

PTI reports:

A total of 189 flights will be operated to Jeddah for 72,000 Haj pilgrims from seven destinations this year. The first flight left from Mumbai with 314 pilgrims today.

As many as 57 flights will be operated from Delhi, 43 from Mumbai, 30 from Ahmedabad, 23 from Cochin, 11 from Calcutta and eight from Chennai for the next one month, according to airport sources. Cochin and Ahmedabad are the two new exit points.

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