Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has brushed aside comments made by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, who labelled him the ‘Chinese version of Yogi’ over his decision to end the two-hour break for Jumma prayers in the Assam Assembly. Sarma firmly stated that the Assam government’s work will continue regardless of such remarks, emphasizing their focus on progress.
The controversy arose after Yadav criticized Sarma’s decision to scrap the Jumma prayer break, accusing him of deliberately targeting Muslims for cheap publicity. He alleged that Sarma is trying to imitate Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, known for his assertive Hindu nationalist stance, and that the BJP leaders are aiming to create divisions in society.
Sarma, however, defended the decision, stating that no other state assembly in India has a similar break for Jumma prayers. He emphasized that the Congress, the opposition party in Assam, also supported the decision. He expressed surprise at the opposition from outside Assam, claiming that the move was aimed at eliminating a colonial practice that fostered religious division.
The Assam Assembly’s decision to end the Jumma prayer break has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that it is a necessary step to ensure equal treatment and prevent religious favoritism, while others see it as a move to marginalize Muslim communities. The controversy highlights the complexities of religious practices within the framework of secular governance and the delicate balance between respecting diverse faiths and upholding principles of inclusivity.
