A point to ponder
By any definition 'Haji' is a respected word. Any Muslim or non-Muslim reveres a 'Haji'. Our mental picture of a "Haji' is a pious and venerable person who has performed the duties towards his family and friends. He is free from any debt, given his/her sons or daughter into marriage etc. Hajj remains the fifth 'obligation' of a Muslim who is required to perform it if he/she fulfils certain honest conditions, as used to be practised by the older generation of people.
Now, behold the Hajis the country is churning out- there are Hajis in the political arena who have very low standing in the public eye. What a pious lot! Many listed smugglers, gun-runners, drug smugglers, criminals and people with dubious police records have traveled to Mecca and Medina, and added the prefix, as if it is a 'degree'.
The press and the people can at least refrain from adding 'Haji' before the name of any person with a police record. That will stop glorifying them and also uphold the sanctity of the word 'HajiÂ
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