The Assam Legislative Assembly has abolished a nearly nine-decade-old practice of granting a two-hour Friday break to allow Muslim legislators to offer ‘namaz’ (Islamic prayers). The decision, approved by the Assembly’s Rules Committee in August 2023, was implemented for the first time during the ongoing budget session, reigniting debates over legislative traditions, secularism, and religious accommodation.
The tradition, introduced in 1937 by Syed Muhammad Saadulla of the erstwhile Muslim League during British colonial rule, had allowed lawmakers to pause legislative proceedings for Friday prayers. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the move as a step toward ending “colonial-era practices” and improving productivity. “The Assembly should function uniformly across all days,” he stated, emphasizing alignment with constitutional secular principles.
The move faced criticism from Muslim legislators, including AIUDF lawmaker Rafiqul Islam, who accused the ruling BJP of leveraging its majority to push the decision. “Around 30 Muslim MLAs opposed this, but the government ignored our concerns,” he said. Congress’ Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia urged compromise, noting that legislators had missed key debates to pray. “A nearby prayer space could resolve this without disrupting work,” he suggested.
Speaker Biswajit Daimary, who chairs the Rules Committee, defended the decision, stating the Assembly must reflect India’s secular ethos. “The Constitution does not endorse religion-specific provisions in legislative functioning,” he said. The committee’s proposal to treat Fridays as regular working days was passed unanimously, though opposition MLAs claim their dissent was overlooked during the session.
The move has sparked discussions about balancing religious obligations with legislative duties in a diverse democracy. While supporters argue it promotes equality and efficiency, critics view it as eroding minority accommodations. Political analysts note the decision aligns with the BJP’s broader narrative of rejecting “divisive” colonial legacies, even as opposition parties demand pragmatic solutions for lawmakers’ religious needs.
The Assam Assembly’s step marks a significant shift in operational norms, reflecting evolving debates over tradition, governance, and inclusivity in India’s political landscape.
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