Jai Ram Thakur Slams Sukhu Govt for Imposing ‘Jajiya Tax’ on Hindu Pilgrims Visiting Choorhdhar Shrine
Shimla, April 29, 2025 — Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has launched a scathing attack on the Sukhu-led Congress government, accusing it of imposing a “Hindu pilgrimage tax” on devotees visiting the revered Choorhdhar shrine, which he likened to the controversial ‘Jajya tax’ imposed by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
In a strongly-worded statement issued from Shimla, Thakur alleged that the state government’s decision to levy a fee on pilgrims undertaking the Choorhdhar yatra reflects its “Hindu-phobic mindset.”
He claimed that devotees visiting their isht devta, Shirgul Maharaj — the presiding deity of people in Chopal (Shimla), Sirmaur, Solan, and even the Jaunsar-Bawar belt of Uttarakhand — are now being forced to pay to offer prayers.
“After Aurangzeb, it is CM Sukhu who has dared to tax Hindu pilgrims. Now, even bowing before our deity costs money. This is shameful,” said Jai Ram Thakur.
“Whether it's visiting temples or making birth certificate corrections, Sukhu’s government has become addicted to imposing fees.
In just two years, the Congress has turned into a ‘tax collection government’.”
Thakur highlighted that the Choorhdhar shrine holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for people across regions.
“Families offer the first produce of their fields, dairy items like ghee and milk, and perform rituals of gratitude after recovering from illnesses.
There’s a strong emotional and spiritual connection with Shrigul Maharaj. Taxing this sacred journey is an assault on our traditions,” he said.
He further criticized the government for not only taxing devotees but also charging for horses and mules used during the pilgrimage, causing distress to both pilgrims and local service providers.
The BJP leader also took a jibe at the Chief Minister’s past remarks.
“The CM once said he defeated 97% Hindutva ideology. Perhaps that’s why he’s targeting Hindu faith now.
But let him not forget — he didn’t come to power defeating Hindutva, he came riding on false promises and ten guarantees which his government now doesn’t even mention,” Thakur said.
Demanding immediate rollback of the “pilgrimage tax,” he urged the Sukhu government to stop its anti-people measures and focus instead on delivering its election promises around jobs and development.
