Now, Assam scraps two-hour namaz break on Fridays

Himanta Biswa Sarma

The Assam Legislative Assembly on Friday decided to discontinue a practice dating back to British colonial rule, which allowed for a two-hour break on Fridays for Muslim MLAs to offer namaz prayers. The practice was introduced by Muslim League’s Syed Saadulla in 1937.

"By doing away with the 2-hour Jumma break, Assam Assembly has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage," Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X.

He also thanked the speaker of Assam Assembly Biswajit Daimary as well as the other legislators for this "historic" decision.

By doing away with the 2 hour Jumma break, @AssamAssembly has prioritised productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage.This practice was introduced by Muslim Leagues Syed Saadulla in 1937.My gratitude to Honble Speaker Shri @BiswajitDaimar5 dangoriya and our
Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 30, 2024

On the decision by Assam Assembly, Biswajit Phukan, a BJP MLA from Sarupathar Assembly segment said a break used to be given every Friday since the British times for offering namaz. Muslim legislators were allowed to offer prayers between 12 pm to 2 pm on Fridays in accordance with the rules.

However, that has changed now and there will be no prayer breaks henceforth.

The Assam Assembly starts at 9.30 am from Monday to Thursday and on Friday, it begins at 9 am to accommodate for the two-hour break, said Phukan. However, with the new rule, now the Assembly will begin its operation at 9.30 am everyday.

The development comes a day after the Assam Assembly passed a bill for compulsory government registration of marriage and divorce of Muslim people.

The Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024 was introduced by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while responding to queries, clarified that the new legislation will only apply to future marriages. All existing marriage registrations performed by Kazis will retain their validity.

Sarma further stated that with the enactment of this new law, child marriage registration will be completely banned. The bill will also prevent men from deserting wives after marriage and strengthen the institution of marriage, Mohan added.