Assam Ends Jumma Prayer Adjournment Practice

The Assam Legislative Assembly has abolished the two-hour adjournment for Jumma prayers, a practice that has been in place since 1937. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the decision, made unanimously by both Hindu and Muslim MLAs, aims to enhance productivity and eliminate colonial-era practices. Critics, including Bihar's former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader ST Hassan, have condemned the move as an attempt to marginalize Muslims and gain political favor. The assembly's new schedule will see sessions starting at 9:30 AM without religiously motivated breaks. Additionally, the assembly recently passed a bill mandating the registration of Muslim marriages and divorces, which Sarma claims is part of efforts to end child marriage. Opponents of this legislation argue it undermines existing laws and could lead to legal challenges.