Himanta Biswa Sarma announces the end of the two-hour Jumma break in Assam Assembly

By A Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Assam: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the end of the two-hour break for Jumma prayers in the Assam Assembly, a practice that dates back to 1937 when the Muslim League was in power in Assam. The decision was made by the current Assembly to prioritize legislative work over the historical break.

Speaking about the decision, CM Sarma said, "In 1937, Muslim League was ruling Assam and Sir Syed Saadulla was the CM. He made this rule that every Friday there would be a 2-hour break for Jumma ki namaz." This break had been observed every Friday for decades, allowing members time for prayers. However, with changing times and priorities, the Assembly has decided to discontinue this practice.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the decision was a collective one, reflecting the views of all members of the Assembly, including those from the minority community. "Today our MLAs decided that we come to the Assembly for work, so we don't want a 2-hour break. There are members from the minority community in our Assembly rules committee, so everyone has taken this decision," he explained.

Sarma clarified that the change was not his personal decision but rather a consensus reached by the Assembly's members. "This is not my decision; it is the Assembly's decision," he reiterated, highlighting the democratic process behind the move.

The end of the Jumma break marks a significant shift in the Assembly's operations, reflecting a focus on legislative duties and efficient use of time. The decision underscores the Assembly's commitment to serving the people of Assam by ensuring uninterrupted legislative proceedings.