New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is facing flak from key allies of the BJP after the state assembly discontinued its two-hour Friday break for Muslim MLAs to offer namaz.
The Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) — which are part of the Narendra Modi-led central government — have questioned the decision, with the former calling it “interference in religious matters”, putting the BJP in a tight spot once again.
Opposing the Assam government’s move, senior JD(U) leader K. C. Tyagi said the Preamble of the Constitution clearly states that everyone has a right to follow their religion and traditions, and the makers of the Constitution drafted it keeping the country’s diversity in mind.
“The Preamble provides for liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. Lawmakers should not do anything which hurts the spirit of the Constitution and the religious sentiments of people. We are a multi-class, multi-caste society. As a government we need to respect the traditions and cultures of all. We should not interfere in religious matters,” he told ThePrint, when asked about the JD(U)’s official stand on the matter.
Meanwhile, LJP’s Delhi president Raju Tiwari told ThePrint: “Sacrifices are performed in various temples and many NGOs oppose it. But naturally it has not stopped and shouldn’t either. Namaz is a matter of faith and such decisions should be avoided in matters related to religion. Care should be taken to ensure no community faces any issue.”
Less than two weeks ago, the Modi government had withdrawn an advertisement for the lateral entry scheme after pushback from the allies from Bihar.
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‘Will Sarma also ban animal sacrifice at Maa Kamakhya temple?’
“The decision of the Assam government under CM Sarma regarding discontinuing the pre-determined two-hour ‘namaz’ break on Friday (was taken) stating that it will enhance productivity. However, such questions touch upon the fundamental duties mentioned in the Constitution’s Preamble. Whether it concerns someone’s religious traditions, social customs, or beliefs, any attack on them through executive orders does not seem appropriate from any standpoint,” said JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar.
Kumar further said: “I want to ask CM Sarma. As far as I know there is Maa Kamakhya Temple in Assam from where he is the MLA. And the doors of the temple are opened only after (animal) sacrifice is carried out. You are imposing a ban on Friday holidays and you claim that this will increase productivity. A significant part of Hindu tradition is the Maa Kamakhya Temple so can you ban the practice of sacrifice at Kamakhya temple?”
Speaking to reporters, Kumar also said it would have been better if the Assam CM focused his energy on poverty alleviation and prevention of floods in the state.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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