Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the cancellation of the two-hour namaz break on Fridays in the Assam Legislative Assembly, citing it as a step towards enhancing productivity and shedding colonial-era practices. The decision, which was made public on Friday, eliminates a long-standing provision that allowed Muslim lawmakers and staff members to take a break for Friday prayers, or namaz.

Chief Minister Sarma expressed his gratitude to Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary and the legislators for supporting this "historic decision." He emphasised that by abolishing the Jumma break, the Assam Assembly is prioritising legislative productivity over practices that he views as outdated.

"By doing away with the 2-hour Jumma break, Assam Assembly has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage," Sarma stated.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the Assembly should function without any religious considerations.

The scrapping of the namaz break in the Assam Legislative Assembly was a unanimous decision made by all Assembly members, effectively ending the practice of a two-hour break from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Fridays.

This decision marks a significant change in the Assembly’s schedule, which will now commence its proceedings at 9:30 am every day, including Fridays. 

Source: India Today