The Haj quota that was allotted to employees of the Minority Affairs Ministry and senior constitutional positions was abolished, according to a statement released by the Centre on Wednesday. Prior to the quota being eliminated, the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Minority Affairs Minister, and the Haj committee each had a seat that allowed for approximately 500 people to travel to the Hajj.

The president and prime minister giving up their own quota, according to Smriti Irani, is an indication that “VIP culture is ending in the country.”

According to Irani, the system whereby those with links to ministers could obtain seats for the Haj has been abolished, and now everyone will be given the same opportunity to travel.

“Now everyone will get the same opportunity. Common Muslim population desired no discrimination when it comes to the Haj journey,” she said.

“We also urged the Haj committee to scrap the entire VIP quota scheme,” she continued.

The President’s quota had 100 seats, the Vice President’s had 75, the Prime Minister’s had 75, and the minority affairs minister’s had 50. Even the 200 seats with the Indian Hajj Committee have done away with.