Assam assembly discontinues Friday 'Namaz' break for Muslim MLAs

Digital Desk: The Assam Assembly on Friday decided to discontinue the practice of giving a "two-hour" Jumma break to Muslim MLAs. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the decision, stating that it prioritizes productivity and sheds "colonial baggage."

"By doing away with the two-hour Jumma break, Assam Assembly has prioritized productivity and shed another vestige of colonial baggage," said CM Sarma. He noted that the practice was introduced by Syed Saadulla of the Muslim League in 1937. "My gratitude to Hon'ble Speaker Shri Biswajit Daimary dangoriya and our legislators for this historical decision," he added.

The move comes a day after the Assam Assembly passed the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024. This bill mandates that Muslims in the state must register both marriages and divorces with the government. Responding to questions about the new law, CM Sarma assured that it would respect Muslim personal law and Islamic rituals while requiring compulsory registration.

"We want to abolish the Qazi system in the Muslim marriage registration process. Apart from this, we also want to prevent child marriage in the state," Sarma stated. Following the bill's passage, he hailed the day as "historic" for its role in combating the "social evil of child marriage."

"I thank all the legislators who pledged their support to this Bill and the government's vision of preventing child marriage. This Bill is above party politics and is a means to give our girls a life of dignity. Next: banning polygamy!" Sarma declared.

However, not everyone supports the new legislation. AIUDF leader Aminul Islam voiced opposition, stating, "We are against child marriage. The government could have amended some provisions in the previous act, but they repealed the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act and Rules, 1935." He added, "We have no other option but to take the matter to court."