'Violation of right to practise religion': Opposition fumes as Assam govt abolishes Friday 'namaz' break

The Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government came under fire from opposition parties after the state assembly, yesterday, decided to discontinue the two-hour break provided on Fridays for Muslim MLAs to offer 'namaz'.

Earlier, the assembly used to be adjourned at 11am on every Friday to allow the Muslim members to go for namaz, and would reconvene after lunch. But, as per the new rule, the proceedings of the House will continue without any adjournment for religious purposes.

Calling the discontinuation of the break “unconstitutional”, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan said it was a violation of the right to practise religion. He said that this practice had been going on since 1937.

In a video message posted on his social media account X on August 30, Pathan said, "BJP is 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.”

The 'namaz' break was provided for the last time yesterday - the final day of the autumn session of the assembly. The proposal to do away with the provision in the Rules of Procedures of the assembly was placed before the Rules Committee, headed by the Speaker, which unanimously agreed to drop the practice. The new rule will be implemented from the next session.

A statement from Speaker Biswajit Daimary office said that the House was doing away with “the colonial practice, which was aimed at dividing the society on religious basis”.

Sarma, too, emphasised that by discontinuing the two-hour break, the Assam assembly had “prioritised productivity”.

Opposition questions the decision

Former deputy chief minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav was scathing in his criticism of Sarma. "Assam's CM is doing this for cheap popularity. Who is he? BJP has made Muslims a soft target. They want to bother Muslims in one way or the other and spread hatred in society,” Yadav said. “BJP should understand that even Muslims had sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle."

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Mazibur Rahman said the Assam government, under Sarma, has been targeting the Muslim community. He said the practice has been around for around 90 years, and that the earlier governments never had any problem with it until Sarma came to power.

He also accused the CM of trying to "wipe out Muslims", referring to the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024, which was passed a couple of days ago.

Congress MLAs Jakir Hussain Sikdar and Wajed Ali Choudhury, too, expressed their reservations on the namaz break decision.

Calling Sarma's decision anti-national, CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah said, "This is a heinous decision. Himanta is the most heinous minority hater. Whenever he opens his mouth, he spits venom against the minority. This is dangerous to the country and this mindset is anti-national. This mindset is against the unity of the country. This is part of a conspiracy to finish off minority community."

Responding to the criticism, CM Sarma said that there were members from the minority community in the assembly rules committee, which took the decision. “This is not my decision alone; it is the assembly's decision.”