Guwahati, Assam: The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Assam government for abolishing the 90-year-old tradition of the ‘Namaz Break’ in the state assembly, accusing the ruling party of politicizing religious issues.
AIUDF General Secretary Rafiqul Islam, speaking to ANI, stated that with 31 Muslim MLAs in the 126-member Assam Assembly, the break was not a major demand and had been in practice under previous Congress, BJP, AGP, and Janata Dal governments without any controversy.
“We used to get a Friday break for one to one and a half hours. The BJP amended the rule in the last session despite our objections. If there are 31 Muslim MLAs, then this break is not a big deal. Lunch breaks already last for two hours. BJP enjoys playing with religious issues,” he said.
Islam also claimed that Muslim legislators were forced to miss the assembly session last Friday because the break had been removed. He accused the BJP-RSS of imposing their ideology on others, stating that the move harmed democracy by depriving elected representatives of their right to participate in crucial discussions.
“It is the ideology of BJP-RSS to attack other religions and impose their religion. We missed the session on Friday because we had to go for Namaz. Many important topics were discussed, and we were deprived of participating in them. We had requested the Speaker to reconsider, but our demand was ignored,” he added.
End of a 90-Year-Old Tradition
The Assam Assembly abolished the ‘Namaz Break’ rule in August 2024, marking the end of a British-era practice introduced by Sayed Saadulla of the Muslim League in 1937. The BJP-led government justified the move as part of reforms to modernize legislative proceedings, arguing that the assembly should function without religious-based interruptions.
However, opposition parties, including AIUDF and Congress, have accused the government of targeting minorities and disrupting long-standing traditions under the guise of legislative efficiency.
AIUDF Criticizes PM Modi’s North-East Policies
Shifting focus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Assam, Islam questioned the effectiveness of the ‘Advantage Assam’ investment summit, which is set to take place in Guwahati on February 25.
“The Prime Minister speaks a lot about the North East, but we do not see much action. The first ‘Advantage Assam’ event also made big promises, but development has been minimal. Assam’s Chief Minister visited foreign countries for investment, but industries here continue to shut down. Unemployment is rising,” he alleged.
While Islam acknowledged the establishment of a semiconductor industry in Assam, he maintained that the overall industrial landscape remained weak, with job opportunities declining rather than expanding.
BJP’s Response and Political Ramifications
The BJP leadership in Assam has defended the decision to remove the Namaz Break, stating that all assembly members are expected to attend full sessions without religious exemptions. They argue that lunch breaks are adequate for all legislators to manage personal needs, including prayers.
With the 2026 Assam Assembly elections approaching, the issue is likely to remain a flashpoint between the ruling BJP and opposition parties, with AIUDF and Congress framing it as an attack on religious freedom, while the BJP positions it as part of governance reforms.
As Prime Minister Modi arrives in Guwahati to promote investment and economic growth, opposition voices continue to question the government’s commitment to genuine development, while the controversy over religious accommodations in legislative proceedings adds another layer of political tension in the state.
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