HYDERABAD, INDIA, February 13, 2008: The government of Andhra Pradesh announce its intention of subsidizing pilgrimage trips for Christians who want to travel to Israel. The subsidy is being modelled on that already offered by the central government to Muslims wanting to join the annual haj pilgrimage to Mecca, according to N.D. Tiwari, the state governor, who announced the subsidy.
Those who oppose the idea say the government is pandering to minority communities ahead of state elections next year, arguing that while the Indian Constitution mandates positive discrimination for dalits and tribals, it does not permit discrimination on the basis of religion.
Details of the subsidy are still to be decided, Mohammad Ali Shabbir, the minister for minorities welfare, said on Tuesday.
You can read an editorial about the initiative published by The India times here.