Guwahati, Feb 22: The Assam Legislative Assembly has discontinued its nearly 90-year-old tradition of a two-hour break on Fridays for Muslim legislators to offer ‘namaz.’ The decision, taken by the Rules Committee in August 2023, was implemented for the first time during the ongoing budget session.
AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam criticized the move, stating that it was imposed due to 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 enforce it,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia of the Congress suggested making alternative arrangements. “Several of my party colleagues and AIUDF MLAs missed important discussions to offer ‘namaz.’ Since it is required only on Fridays, a nearby provision could be considered,” he said.
The decision was made by the Rules Committee, chaired by Speaker Biswajit Daimary, who proposed that the assembly function on Fridays like any other working day, citing the secular nature of the Constitution. The proposal was approved unanimously.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the move, stating that the practice was introduced in 1937 by the Muslim League’s Syed Saadulla. He said that discontinuing it would improve legislative productivity and remove what he described as a “colonial-era practice.”
