Patna, August 31: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav hit out at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the decision to end the 2-hour break for Jumma prayers in Assam assembly, and accused him of seeking "cheap popularity" to stay in the news. Notably, the practice was introduced by the Muslim League government during colonial rule.

"Assam Chief Minister (Himanta Biswa Sarma) wants cheap popularity and wants to remain in the news...(UP CM) Yogi Adityanath is using bulldozers, and he (Assam CM) is stopping namaz, the country belongs to everyone, there should be peace, but these people are only spreading hatred," Tejashwi Yadav told ANI. The former Bihar Deputy CM also attacked CM Himanta on Friday also, and called him "Chinese version of Yogi" in a veiled reference to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Farooq Abdullah Slams Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for Scrapping 2-Hour Friday Namaz Break in Assembly.

"The Chief Minister of Assam deliberately keeps doing acts to harass Muslims, in an attempt to gain cheap popularity and become the "Chinese version of Yogi". The people of BJP have made Muslim brothers a soft target to spread hatred, attract the attention of Modi-Shah and polarize the society," Yadav stated. "People of all religions, except RSS, have a hand in the independence of the country. Our Muslim brothers have made sacrifices in getting the country freedom and as long as we are here, no one can harm them," he added.

Earlier today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the state assembly's decision to end the 2-hour break for Jumma prayers, saying that no other state assembly in India has a similar break. He also expressed surprise that people outside Assam are opposing the decision without fully understanding it. Sarma added that Congress supported the decision to end the Jumma break in Assam.

"The decision to end the Jumma break in Assam was also supported by the Congress. There is no such break in Bihar or any other state assembly in the country. I am surprised that people outside Assam are opposing it without thinking," CM Himanta said in a post on X. Assam Assembly on Friday, ended the practice of a 2-hour adjournment for Jumma Prayers, every Friday. Congress-Led United Opposition Forum Files FIR Against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Over ‘Miya Muslim’ Remarks, Alleges ‘Phrase Creates Enmity Between 2 Groups’.

Assam Speaker Biswajit Daimary said that the decision was taken as it had become difficult to hold discussions on Fridays due to a lack of time. According to the previous rule, the sitting of the Assembly on Friday used to be adjourned at 11 am to facilitate Muslim members to go for namaaz, but, as per the new rule, the Assembly will conduct its proceedings without any adjournment for religious purposes.

As per the amended rule, the Assam assembly will commence its proceedings at 9.30 am every day, including Fridays. The order stated that the amendment was done to scrap the colonial practice, which aimed at dividing society on a religious basis.

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