Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jun 18: In a press conference conducted here on Tuesday June 17, a group of six persons from Kepu village named Abdul Rahiman V K, B K Ismail, S Kunhappa, Avvamma, Asiamma and Fathima B K said, that they had deposited a sum of Rs.65400 with the State Haj Committee during the 2007 season and were allotted registration No. KHC/HAA 1864-6/2007. As there were applicants in excess of 14000 from Karnataka alone, the eligibility was decided by the committee through drawing of lots. Registration numbers of successful applicants had also been published in newspapers.

The committee, which failed to provide any information to the team, came up with a reply later when confronted, that their names were rejected by the Mumbai Haj Committee. When Mumbai Haj Committee was contacted by them, it said that the state committee had never referred their applications to them. As such, even after paying money and getting registered, they were deprived of a chance to undertake Haj pilgrimage, the group stated.

The Haj Committee has not refunded our money since the last one year, and has been putting forth lame excuses all along. Frequent telephonic requests to the state and Mumbai committees, submitting of documents and personal visits have not succeeded in getting our money back. We learn that more than 300 citizens of the state have also been facing similar harassment, they explained.

On the other hand, they have demanded for providing a chance to undertake the pilgrimage under this year's quota, on priority basis. While seeking the press to come to their help in this case, they have expressed their determination to fight it out step by step, even considering legal ones, till the committee refunds their money. We want to ensure that the public do not continue to get duped by the committee, the members reiterated.

V K Abdul Rahiman, B K Ismail Bairikatte, S Kunhappa Charantimath and Rashid Vittal were present at the press conference.