Waris Pathan Criticizes Assam Assembly’s Decision to End Jumma Break for Muslim MLAs

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 31: Waris Pathan, the National Spokesperson of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has criticized the Assam Assembly’s decision to end the practice of giving a two-hour Jumma break to Muslim MLAs. Pathan called this move a violation of the right to practice religion.

On August 30, the Assam Legislative Assembly officially amended the rule that provided a two-hour break for Muslim legislators to offer Friday prayers. This practice had been in place since 1937.

In a video message posted on his social media account on August 30, Pathan said, “It is unconstitutional and a violation of the right to practice religion.” He added, “BJP is an anti-Muslim government. They hate our dress, food, and our Madrassas. Now, they have started to hate our Namaz (Prayers). Every day, you will see Himanta Biswa Sarma, talking aimlessly.”

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded on August 30, stating that the decision was a collective one. “In 1937, the Muslim League was ruling Assam, and Sir Syed Saadulla was the CM. He made this rule that every Friday there would be a 2-hour break for Jumma ki namaz. Today our MLAs decided that we come to the Assembly for work, so we don’t want a 2-hour break. There are members from the minority community in our Assembly rules committee, so everyone has taken this decision. This is not my decision; it is the Assembly’s decision,” CM Sarma told reporters.

The decision has faced criticism from several opposition leaders. Tejashwi Yadav, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, said, “Assam’s CM is doing this for cheap popularity. Who is he? He just wants cheap popularity. BJP has made Muslims a soft target. They want to bother Muslims in some way or the other and spread hatred in society. BJP should understand that even Muslims had sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle.”

The state assembly ended the practice that was introduced by Saadullah’s Muslim League government in colonial Assam. According to the previous rule, the sitting of the Assembly on Friday used to be adjourned at 11 am to facilitate Muslim members to go for namaaz. As per the new rule, the Assembly will conduct its proceedings without any adjournment for religious purposes. The Assam assembly will now commence its proceedings at 9.30 am every day, including Friday. The order stated that the amendment was done to scrap the colonial practice which aimed at dividing society on a religious basis.