Categories: Politics

‘Can you stop this ’Bali Pratha’ at Kamakhya’: NDA allies criticize Assam’s Himanta Sarma over Jumma break controversy

Leaders of the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), key allies of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), criticized the Assam Assembly’s decision to end the 2-hour break for Jumma prayers. While Assam Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the move, here’s what JD(U) and LJP leaders said:

JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar said the decision of the Assam Assembly “is against the standard of the Constitution”. He even asked Sarma if he would to stop the ‘Bali Pratha’ at Assam’s Kamakhya Temple.

“I would like to ask the Assam chief minister that you impose a ban on the namaz break on Fridays and say that this will increase the work potential…there’s a significant part of the Hindu religion…the doors of Kamakhya Temple open during sacrificial ritual…can you stop this ‘Bali Pratha’?…No one has the right to attack religious practices…,” Neeraj Kumar told news agency ANI.

Kumar also said it would be better if the Assam CM had focused more on lifting people above poverty.l

LJP Delhi president Raju Tiwari also criticized the move, according to Lokmat and the Times of India. He reportedly argued that the freedom of religious practice must be respected.

Assam Assembly ends two-hour Jumma break

The Assam Assembly ended the practice of a two-hour adjournment for Jumma Prayers, every Friday 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 Fridays. The order stated that the amendment was done to scrap the colonial practice which aimed at dividing the society on a religious basis.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa defended the move and said that Hindu and Muslim MLAs together sat and unanimously took the decision that they will work during this period also.

(With inputs from agencies)

News Today

Recent Posts

Kareena Kapoor’s Next Untitled Film With Meghna Gulzar Gets Prithviraj Sukumaran On Board

Kareena Kapoor is working with Raazi director Meghna Gulzar for her next film. The project,…

17 hours ago

Purdue basketball freshman Daniel Jacobsen injured vs Northern Kentucky

2024-11-09 15:00:03 WEST LAFAYETTE -- Daniel Jacobsen's second game in Purdue basketball's starting lineup lasted…

17 hours ago

Rashida Jones honors dad Quincy Jones with heartfelt tribute: ‘He was love’

2024-11-09 14:50:03 Rashida Jones is remembering her late father, famed music producer Quincy Jones, in…

17 hours ago

Nosferatu Screening at Apollo Theatre Shows Student Interest in Experimental Cinema – The Oberlin Review

2024-11-09 14:40:03 A silent German expressionist film about vampires accompanied by Radiohead’s music — what…

18 hours ago

What Are Adaptogens? Find Out How These 3 Herbs May Help You Tackle Stress Head-On

Let's face it - life can be downright stressful! With everything moving at breakneck speed,…

18 hours ago

The new Mac Mini takes a small step towards upgradeable storage

Apple’s redesigned Mac Mini M4 has ditched the previous M2 machine’s SSD that was soldered…

18 hours ago