Assam Assembly Ends Decades-Long Tradition of Friday 'Namaz' Break

The Assam Assembly has ended its decades-old tradition of a two-hour break for Friday 'namaz', a decision made last August but implemented during the current budget session. The move has sparked dissatisfaction among Muslim legislators who see it as imposed by numerical strength, but the change aims for secular alignment.

The Assam Legislative Assembly has abolished its long-standing tradition of a two-hour break on Fridays to facilitate Muslim legislators in offering ‘namaz’. This decision, originally made last August, was first implemented in the ongoing budget session, marking the end of a nearly 90-year practice.

AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the move was enforced by sheer numerical strength, particularly by the ruling party, despite opposition from about 30 Muslim MLAs in the assembly. Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of Opposition, suggested that provisions be made for 'namaz' within proximity to allow MLAs to participate without missing important discussions.

The decision, aimed at aligning with the secular nature of the Constitution, was spearheaded by Speaker Biswajit Daimary and received support from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Sarma emphasized the need to shed colonial practices that hinder productivity, noting that the practice originated in 1937 under the Muslim League's Syed Saadulla.