The Assam Assembly has decided to discontinue the 2-hour break given for Friday prayers. Previously, employees were allotted this break, but it will no longer be provided. Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed gratitude to the Assembly Speaker for this decision. He mentioned that this step prioritizes productivity and removes another vestige of the colonial burden.
Did you know that such a break was once given in Parliament too? Let's find out what the rules were regarding the Namaz or Jumma break in the Houses of Parliament and when this break was terminated. This will help us understand the current rules regarding the Namaz break in Parliament...
What were the earlier arrangements in Parliament?
Previously, a break was also provided in Parliament for Friday prayers, but this was only in the Rajya Sabha. There was no separate timing for the lunch break in the Lok Sabha on Fridays, only the Rajya Sabha had a different timetable. Muslim MPs were given half an hour for prayers in the Rajya Sabha on Fridays, but this was later abolished.
Typically, the lunch break in the Rajya Sabha was from 1:00 to 2:30 PM on Fridays, which was half an hour longer than on regular days. On other days, the break was from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. However, now the lunch break is from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Fridays as well.
How was it abolished?
This decision was made to maintain uniformity between the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. Previously, the timings in both Houses were different, which was aligned later. Last year, Jagdeep Dhankhar mentioned this new arrangement, and he abolished the break. This entire matter dates back to December 8, 2023, during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha. MPs were asking their questions when DMK MP Tiruchi Siva intervened. He raised a question regarding the timings of the Rajya Sabha's proceedings on Fridays.
In response, Jagdeep Dhankhar stated, 'This is not being done for today; it has already been done by me. The Lok Sabha sits at 2 PM after lunch. Therefore, as per my directions, the proceedings in this House also start at 2 PM.' Jagdeep Dhankhar took the oath as Vice President in 2022.
Is there a separate place for Namaz in Parliament?
It is worth noting that there was no separate place for Namaz in the old Parliament building. It is said that MPs were offering prayers at some place in the gallery. Later, there was a demand that the new Parliament building should have a designated place for Namaz.
