Chennai, Apr 16 (Reporter) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin on Wednesday evening wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding sudden cancellation of Private Haj quota and urged him to take up with the authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia urgently and seek an expeditious remedy. Stating that this has caused significant distress among thousands of Indian Muslim pilgrims, Mr Stalin told Mr Modi that his intervention will restore the Haj quota, and provide reassurance to the pilgrims and their families. In a Demi-official letter to Mr Modi, he said he was writing this letter to bring a matter of urgent concern regarding the sudden cancellation of Private Haj quota that is causing significant distress among thousands of Indian Muslim pilgrims, including many from Tamil Nadu, who are eagerly preparing for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage. "As you are aware, the Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam, representing a deeply sacred and once-in-a-lifetime religious duty for Muslims. The pilgrimage holds immense spiritual significance, and pilgrims often spend their lifetime savings to undertake this journey", he said. "This year, the Haj is expected to take place from June 4, .2025 to June 9, 2025, with pilgrims likely to begin their travel to Saudi Arabia in the month of May 2025", Mr Stalin noted. Pointing out that during 2024, around 1,75,000 Indian Pilgrims partook in Haj pilgrimage, the Chief Minister said in January 2025, India signed a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia, finalizing a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims. "The said quota was divided in the ratio of 70:30 among State Haj Committees and Private Haj Tour Operators. Accordingly State Haj Committees were allotted 122,517 seats and Private Haj Tour Operators were allotted 52,507 seats for Haj 2025", he pointed out. "I am given to understand that there has been a sudden reduction in India's Haj quota by Saudi Arabia; approximately 52,000 Haj seats earmarked for private Haj tour operators have been cancelled", he said. This abrupt decision has left many pilgrims, who have already completed payments, in a state of deep anxiety and uncertainty, Mr Stalin said. "Considering the gravity of this situation, I request that the matter may be taken up with the authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia urgently and seek an expeditious remedy. I am sure that your intervention will restore the Haj quota, and provide reassurance to the pilgrims and their families", he added...////...