Assam Ends 2-Hour Break for Friday Prayers: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Explains
Guwahati (Assam), August 30: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the decision to end the 2-hour break for Jumma prayers in the state legislative assembly was a collective one. The rule, originally introduced in 1937 by the Muslim League government, was amended to prioritize productivity.
Collective Decision
CM Sarma emphasized that the decision was made by the entire assembly, including members from the minority community. He stated, “This is not my decision, it is the Assembly’s decision.”
Speaker’s Statement
Assam Speaker Biswajit Daimary explained that the break made it difficult to hold discussions on Fridays. He said, “From today onwards the Assam Assembly will not be adjourned to perform Jumma.”
Reactions
CM Sarma called the decision historic and thanked Speaker Daimary. Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika and BJP MLA Taranga Gogoi also supported the move, calling it a step towards true secularism.
However, opposition leaders like Tejashwi Yadav and ST Hassan criticized the decision, accusing the government of targeting Muslims.
New Assembly Schedule
According to the new rule, the Assam assembly will start its proceedings at 9.30 am every day, including Fridays, without any adjournment for religious purposes.
Doubts Revealed
Assam -: Assam is a state in the northeastern part of India. It is known for its rich culture, tea gardens, and the Brahmaputra River.
Chief Minister -: A Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state. They are responsible for making important decisions and running the state.
Himanta Biswa Sarma -: Himanta Biswa Sarma is the current Chief Minister of Assam. He is a political leader who makes decisions for the state.
Jumma prayers -: Jumma prayers are special prayers that Muslims perform every Friday. It is an important weekly event for Muslims.
state legislative assembly -: The state legislative assembly is a group of elected representatives who make laws and decisions for the state. It is like a big meeting where important issues are discussed.
1937 -: 1937 is a year in history. It is mentioned here because the rule for the 2-hour break for Jumma prayers was introduced in that year.
Speaker Biswajit Daimary -: The Speaker is the person who leads the meetings in the legislative assembly. Biswajit Daimary is the current Speaker of the Assam legislative assembly.
opposition figures -: Opposition figures are people in the government who do not agree with the ruling party. They often criticize and question the decisions made by the ruling party.
adjournments -: Adjournments are breaks or pauses in a meeting or session. In this context, it means stopping the assembly meeting for a while.
