Assam Assembly Abolishes 77-Year-Old Friday Adjournment Tradition for Namaz

Guwahati, August 30, 2024 — In a landmark decision, the Assam Legislative Assembly has abolished a 77-year-old tradition of adjourning sessions on Fridays to accommodate Namaz. The change, which was finalized in a historic vote, ends a practice that had been in place since 1946.

The tradition, established during the speakership of Sayed Sadullah, allowed the Assembly to pause from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on Fridays, enabling Muslim members to participate in their weekly prayers. Following the prayer break, the House would reconvene to continue legislative business.

The move to end this practice was spearheaded by Speaker Biswajit Daimary, who argued that the Assembly should function without religious interruptions to uphold the principles of secularism and equality enshrined in the Indian Constitution. “It is essential for the legislative process to operate impartially, without religious considerations influencing its functioning,” Daimary explained.

The proposal was reviewed and endorsed by the Rules Committee, led by Daimary, leading to today’s decisive vote to amend the Rules of Procedure. This significant shift reflects a modernization of the Assembly’s procedures, aiming to ensure that legislative activities remain focused on governance without religious interruptions.

The decision marks a notable step towards reinforcing secular values and inclusivity within Assam’s legislative framework, aligning with broader efforts to maintain a neutral and equitable legislative environment.