Himanta Biswa Sarma: Assam Assembly cancelled Jumma break with consensus from Hindu and Muslim MLAs

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced today that the decision to cancel the two-hour break on Fridays in the Assam Legislative Assembly was made through a joint agreement between Hindu and Muslim MLAs. Speaking on the matter, Sarma said that the move was in alignment with practices in the Indian Parliament, where no such provision exists.

“The decision was taken collectively by both Hindu and Muslim legislators,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister also extended an invitation to Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren to visit the revered Maa Kamakhya Temple, one of the most important spiritual sites in the state.

Earlier on August 30, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the cancellation of the two-hour Jumma break on Fridays in the Assam Legislative Assembly. The move, which was made public on Friday, eliminates the long-standing provision that allowed Muslim lawmakers and staff members to take a break for Friday prayers, or namaz.

Chief Minister Sarma cited this decision as a step towards enhancing productivity and shedding colonial-era practices. He expressed his gratitude to Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary and the legislators for supporting this "historic decision." Sarma emphasized that by abolishing the Jumma break, the Assam Assembly is prioritizing legislative productivity over practices he views as outdated.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 said.

The scrapping of the namaz break 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 change marks a significant adjustment in the Assembly’s schedule, which will now commence its proceedings at 9:30 am every day, including Fridays.