telangana-eases-work-hours-for-muslims-during-ramzan

In a significant move to accommodate religious observances during Ramzan, the Telangana government has granted Muslim employees in government departments, public sector units, and educational institutions permission to leave work an hour earlier than usual.

 

c The relaxation applies to all Muslim staff, including teachers, contract workers, outsourcing staff, and employees in boards, corporations, and public sector units. The decision aims to support employees in observing religious duties and prayers during the fasting month of Ramzan.

 

An official circular issued by the General Administration Department outlined the new rule. This initiative comes as part of the government's efforts to ensure that employees can balance their work commitments with religious observances.

 

Also read: Telangana CM asks Centre to address water dispute with Andhra

 

However, the move has sparked criticism from BJP leaders. They accuse the Telangana government of indulging in "appeasement politics." BJP MLA T. Raja Singh expressed disappointment, claiming that the Congress party won power by relying on Muslim votes. He argued that such decisions only fuel religious divides and undermine equality. Singh stated, "Equal rights for all, or none," suggesting that the government should extend similar concessions to all religious communities.

 

The controversy escalated when BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya criticised the decision on social media. He called it tokenism and pointed out that no such concessions were given to Hindus during festivals like Navratri when fasting is observed. Malviya argued that the government was reducing religious observances to vote bank politics and urged people to oppose the move.

 

In response, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Syed Nizamuddin defended the decision. He dismissed the BJP's claims as misleading. He reminded the critics that a 13-day holiday was granted during Dussehra for Hindu employees. Nizamuddin stressed that the government supports all festivals and dismissed the BJP’s attempts to mislead the public.