Religion is a personal matter. As such, no discrimination should be made on religious grounds. The identity of being an Indian should be the only criteria for welfare programmes of the government.
The Andhra Pradesh State cabinet has decided to provide financial assistance to people belonging to the Christian community to visit Jerusalem on the lines of Haj pilgrims.
Fifty people in each batch would be sent to Jerusalem and an amount of Rs 50 lakh would be allotted for this purpose.
Visiting Haj or Jerusalem is a personal choice, a religious choice. Why should the government promote such choices ? What about the Jains, Buddhists, Parsis etc. why are they not being considered? So, it is better not to favor any group at all.
Somebody wants to go to Israel, let him pay for it out of his pocket. If he can’t afford to do so, he is better off staying at home. This is not a fundamental right, guaranteed by the constitution.
Does the government sponsor any poor people to go to Tirupati?
