Assam Ends 2-Hour Break for Jumma Prayers: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Explains Decision
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that the state assembly will no longer have a 2-hour break for Jumma prayers on Fridays. This practice, which started in 1937, was ended by a unanimous decision of Hindu and Muslim MLAs.
CM Sarma said, “The Hindus and Muslims of our assembly sat in the Malas Rule Committee and unanimously resolved that the two-hour break is not right. We should work during this period as well.” He emphasized that the decision was not his alone but a collective one.
Assam Speaker Biswajit Daimary explained that the decision was taken because it had become difficult to hold discussions on Fridays due to a lack of time. The assembly will now start its proceedings at 9.30 am every day, including Fridays.
However, the decision faced criticism. Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav accused CM Sarma of seeking “cheap popularity” and claimed that the BJP wants to “bother Muslims in some way or the other.” Samajwadi Party leader ST Hassan also criticized Sarma, saying, “Himanta Biswa Sarma spreads poison in the society. His government is against Muslims.”
The order stated that the amendment was made to scrap the colonial practice which aimed at dividing society on a religious basis.
Doubts Revealed
Assam -: Assam is a state in the northeastern part of India, known for its tea plantations and rich cultural heritage.
Jumma prayers -: Jumma prayers are special prayers that Muslims perform every Friday, usually around noon.
Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state, similar to a principal in a school but for the whole state.
Himanta Biswa Sarma -: Himanta Biswa Sarma is the current Chief Minister of Assam, responsible for making important decisions for the state.
State assembly -: The state assembly is a group of elected people who make laws and decisions for the state, like a big student council.
MLAs -: MLAs are Members of the Legislative Assembly, elected by people to represent them in the state assembly.
Assam Speaker -: The Assam Speaker is the person who manages the discussions and meetings in the state assembly, like a class monitor.
Biswajit Daimary -: Biswajit Daimary is the current Speaker of the Assam state assembly, responsible for keeping order during meetings.
Tejashwi Yadav -: Tejashwi Yadav is an Indian politician from Bihar, another state in India, who sometimes comments on issues in other states.
ST Hassan -: ST Hassan is an Indian politician who represents the Moradabad constituency in Uttar Pradesh, another state in India.