JAIPUR: Despite protests by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, the Rajasthan Government has decided to go ahead with the construction of a Haj House at Ramsinghpura village, near here, to facilitate the departure of Haj pilgrims from Sanganer airport. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will lay the foundation stone for the building on September 20.

VHP and Bajrang Dal have demanded cancellation of the allotment of land for the proposed Haj House, arguing that its location would disturb communal harmony in Sanganer where Muslims comprise only 4 per cent of the population. The two organisations have warned that they would disrupt the stone-laying ceremony.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, initially perplexed by the agitation of its sister organisations in the Sangh Parivar, has finally decided to construct Haj House at the same place apparently in a bid to mollify its Muslim members who have been trying hard to lure the community to the party ever since it came to power in the State.

The Shiv Sena activists organised a rally from suburban Sanganer to Durgapura over the week-end to protest against the State Government's decision. Narpat Singh Shekhawat, chief of VHP Jaipur `Prant' (province), said a land plot had already been allocated to Muslims at Karbala near the Walled City and there was no need for a second Haj House.

However, the tough stance adopted by the BJP-led Government on the issue was reflected in the remarks of the Chairman of the State Haj Committee, Firoze Khan, at a press conference here on Sunday.

Mr. Khan said the protests were "ill-advised and meaningless'' as the Haj House would only provide facilities to pilgrims without harming any other section.

While affirming that the construction would be completed within the next two years with the "blessings of Ms. Raje'', Mr. Khan said no disrespect to the Sangh constituents -- which were "nationalist organisations'' -- was intended in the decision and it would benefit thousands of pilgrims leaving for Haj every year.

"The State Haj Committee has received a record 7,750 applications for the pilgrimage this year,'' Mr. Khan said and added that the building would take care of pilgrims' needs for brief stay, performance of rites and preparation for the journey.

As for the Karbala plot, Mr. Khan said the previous Congress regime had allotted it and the Haj Committee would have no objection if a building was constructed there.

The 12,300 sq. metre land at Ramsinghpura has been allocated to the Muslim community at a token amount of Re. 1, while the cost of construction has been estimated at Rs. 10.73 crores. Mr. Khan said the money would be obtained from the Central Haj Committee, discretionary funds of MPs and MLAs, donations of religious bodies and the State Government's grants.

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