GUWAHATI: The Assam Legislative Assembly has formally put an end to its nearly 90-year-old tradition of providing Muslim legislators with a two-hour break on Fridays to offer 'namaz.' The decision was passed by the Rules Committee in August 2023, and it was adopted for the first time during the ongoing budget session, which is a major shift in the operation of the assembly.
AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam expressed strong opposition to the move, claiming it was enforced by the ruling party's majority. “There are about 30 Muslim MLAs in the assembly. We opposed the decision, but the BJP used its numbers to impose it,” he stated.
Leader of the Opposition, Debabrata Saikia of the Congress, suggested that alternative arrangements should be made. He noted that several party colleagues and AIUDF MLAs missed crucial discussions to offer ‘namaz.’ “Since it is required only on Fridays, a nearby provision could be considered,” he added.
The move was suggested by Speaker Biswajit Daimary, who insisted that the assembly must work on Fridays as any other working day, quoting the secular nature of the Constitution. The move was unanimously agreed upon by the committee.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma supported the change, stating that the practice, introduced in 1937 by the Muslim League’s Syed Saadulla, was a relic of colonial times. He asserted that discontinuing the break would enhance legislative productivity and modernize assembly operations.
Also Watch: