AIMIM urges Maharashtra to follow Telangana and Andhra govt. circular for Ramzan

AIMIM urges Maharashtra government to allow Muslim employees and students to leave an hour early during Ramzan.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Wednesday requested the Maharashtra government to issue a circular similar to the ones issued by the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, permitting Muslim employees and students from government and private organisations to leave workplaces, and educational institutions an hour early during the month of Ramzan.  

According to the circular issued on February 11 by the government of Andhra Pradesh and another issued on February 15 by the Telangana government, all Muslim employees, including teachers, contract, and outsourced staff, employees of boards, corporations, and public sector employees as well as students from schools and colleges are permitted to leave their work place at 4 p.m., ahead by usual working hours during Ramzan, from March 2 to March 31, except when their presence is required due to exigencies of services during the stipulated period.

Speaking to journalists in Mumbai, AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan said, “For the last 25 years, the Telangana government has followed a tradition of providing relaxation to the adherents of Islam so that they can break their fast at peace and on time in the comfort of their homes. When the circular was issued by the two States, people from Maharashtra came to us and asked if such a relaxation can be given for the residents of Maharashtra as well. Even Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan who are part of the National Democratic Alliance, have expressed their support for this move.”  

Mr. Pathan urged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis consider releasing a similar circular for the Muslims in Maharashtra. “What will happen if for a month Muslim employees and students go home by 4 p.m.? No major impacts will befall the growth of the State’s economy or its education system. We demand Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to consider releasing a similar circular in the State as we have sizeable Muslim population. We want this circular in Maharashtra because we want the people who fast during this month, can be at ease during this month as they have to wake up at 4 a.m. for sehri [pre-dawn meal] followed by namaz, and then work for the entire day without food and water. After a long day of work, they have to rush home through the heavy traffic and by the time they reach home, iftar [post-sunset meal] and namaz timings are over.” The leader also emphasised that the relaxation should be allowed to other religions as well. 

Maharashtra Congress MLA Amin Patel has also welcomed the move by the two States and said that Ramzan is a holy month for the Muslim community and such circulars become very important. “I feel this initiative should be implemented across India for all faiths,” he said.