AMN /
GUWAHATI: Assam government will not allow weekly holiday on Friday at government-run madrassas. They will only have an hour’s break for the ‘jumma namaz’ (Friday prayers) instead of a day’s holiday.
“Many government-run madrassas, especially in Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Morigaon districts, have been observing holidays on Fridays,” said Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, adding that the government would soon issue an order to this effect.
“This is not officially recognized, nor is it a government-scheduled holiday. We won’t allow the closure of madrassas on Fridays. We will make provisions for an hour’s break for the Friday prayer,” Sarma said.
“They cannot do so on their own. We cannot have two laws in the same country. We have to follow Indian laws and the legal system. Or else they should approach the Central government to get the rule changed,” Sarma said, adding that he himself was not earlier aware that such things are happening.
He said it is not a matter of targeting any particular community but of following the law. “This is applicable to all, irrespective of religion, caste or creed,” he said.