Synopsis
Maharashtra's Minority Commission is pushing for Muslim employees to be allowed to leave work an hour early during Ramzan, following similar measures in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The chairman, Pyare Khan, plans to officially present this request to the Chief Minister.Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra Minority Commission seeks early leave for Muslims during Ramzan.
- Requests arise after Telangana and Andhra Pradesh allow early departures.
- Chairman Pyare Khan to present the demand to Chief Minister.
- Requests gaining traction in Karnataka as well.
- Government decisions pending in various states.
Mumbai, Feb 22 (NationPress) Following the decisions made by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to allow Muslim government employees to leave work early during the month of fasting known as Ramzan, similar requests are now surfacing in Maharashtra and other states.
Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan has confirmed that the commission has received numerous applications urging the state government to permit Muslim employees to exit work an hour earlier during Ramzan.
"We have received several requests from individuals seeking permission to leave offices an hour early during Ramzan. India exemplifies 'Ganga Jamuna Tehzeeb,' where diverse communities coexist peacefully," Khan informed IANS.
He mentioned plans to present this request to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis via an official letter.
This demand follows orders from the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments, which allow Muslim employees, including teachers and contract workers, to leave work at 4 p.m. instead of the usual 5 p.m. from March 2 to March 30 to engage in religious activities.
According to the Andhra Pradesh government order, "The government permits all employees who identify as Muslim, including teachers and contract workers, to leave their offices/schools an hour earlier on all working days during the Holy month of Ramzan for necessary rituals."
Furthermore, the Telangana government order stated: "The government permits all Muslim government employees/teachers/contract/out-sourcing/boards/corporations and public sector employees in the state to leave their offices/schools at 4 p.m. during the holy month of Ramzan, specifically from March 2 to 31, to perform necessary prayers, except in cases where their presence is crucial due to service demands."
The request is also gaining support in Karnataka, where Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Vice Presidents M.R.M. Hussain and Syed Ahmad have recently contacted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, advocating for the state government to grant Muslim employees a one-hour exemption from duties to facilitate prayers and iftar.
However, the Karnataka government has not yet made a decision regarding the request.
