Indian Christians seek subsidy for Holy Land pilgrimage

July 17, 2012: A group of Christians have requested the federal government of India and the Punjab state government to extend grants for pilgrimages to Jerusalem to economically-weaker Christians in India. The Ludhiana-based Christian United Federation (CUF) have sought subsidy for the pilgrimage on the pattern of Haj for Muslims, Amarnath Yatra for Hindus and Shri Nankana Sahib Yatra for Sikhs.

CUF president Albert Dua told a press conference on Saturday that they would request the governments to provide pilgrimage facilities to Christians to travel to places of religious significance.

Some mechanism must be devised so that poor Christians are able to undertake the pilgrimage at least to Jerusalem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, he said. Another activist, Augustine John, said they were seeking permission from the government to collect money for the poor Christians and arrange their pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

“We want to get our brothers freed from the clutches of the expensive travel agents,” Augustine said. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had in December 2011 announced government financial assistance to Christians for the Holy Land pilgrimage.