“Unconstitutional”: AIMIM leader Waris Pathan on Assam Assembly ending 2-hr Jumma break practise

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 31 (ANI): Waris Pathan, National Spokesperson of AIMIM termed the decision of the Assam Assembly to scrap the practice of giving two hours of Jumma break to Muslims MLAs as a violation of the right to practise religion.

Assam Legislative Assembly on August 30 officially amended the rule providing two hours of Jumma break to facilitate Muslim legislators to offer Friday prayers.

In a video message posted on his social media account X on August 30, Pathan said, “It is unconstitutional and a violation of the right to practise religion.”

The AIMIM leader said that this practice had been going on since 1937. “What suddenly took hold of you?”

“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,” he added.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma affirmed on August 30 that it was a collective decision.

“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 on Friday.

The decision, however, invited criticism from several opposition leaders.

“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,” Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav told reporters on August 30.

The state assembly ended the practice that was introduced by Saadulah’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, but, as per the new rule, the Assembly will conduct its proceedings without any adjournment for religious purposes.

As per the amended rule, the Assam assembly will 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 the society on a religious basis.