I've written to Hon'ble @naqvimukhtar reminding him of my previous letter to Hon'ble @PMOIndia and requested him to re-designate Chennai as an...

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressed a formal communication to Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, strongly urging the Union government to reinstate Chennai as an official embarkation point for the annual Haj pilgrimage in 2022. Stalin recalled his earlier representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter, reiterating that excluding Chennai causes acute logistical distress, severe travel inconvenience, and unnecessary financial burdens for thousands of elderly pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and neighboring southern states.

Stalin highlighted that Chennai had served as an efficient embarkation hub for decades, with excellent airport facilities, dedicated quarantine arrangements, and seamless transit coordination. Depriving regional pilgrims of their traditional departure terminal forces them to undertake arduous overland journeys to distant cities like Kochi or Mumbai. The Chief Minister emphasized that religious pilgrimages require compassionate administrative facilitation, urging the central ministry to accommodate the genuine welfare needs of Muslim citizens.

Reaffirming his government steadfast commitment to the welfare and religious rights of minority communities, Stalin urged the Union government to take prompt corrective action. He assured full state administrative and logistical backing at Chennai airport, ensuring smooth travel, adequate medical assistance, and dignified transit arrangements for all departing Haj pilgrims.