NEW DELHI, May 4 -- A last-minute increase in airfare for Haj 2026 pilgrims has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition parties, with the Congress questioning the Centre over the timing of the decision and the burden placed on pilgrims who had already paid the bulk of their travel costs. The controversy stems from an April 28 circular issued by the Haj Committee of India under the ministry of minority affairs, directing pilgrims to deposit an additional Rs.10,000 by May 15 as "differential airfare". The government attributed the revision to exceptional circumstances in West Asia and a surge in aviation turbine fuel prices. The directive came weeks after pilgrims had deposited the full estimated Haj cost - ranging between roughly Rs.3.3 lakh a...