Jharkhand Assembly
Speaker dismisses opposition's protest, defends namaz room in Jharkhand Assembly
Ranchi/IBNS: The allocation of namaz room in the new Legislative Assembly premises in Jharkhand has triggered a controversy with the opposition BJP accusing the assembly speaker and the state government of appeasing the followers of one religion, according to media reports.
BJP's chief whip Biranchi Narayan wrote to Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto, saying that the party would approach the court against the allocation of the namaz room in the Assembly and dubbed it "unconstitutional".
The BJP staged a protest on Sunday demanding either rollback of the allotment or setting up of places of worship for other religions particularly a Hanuman Mandir and a Sarna Sthal.
On Tuesday, BJP MLAs clad in saffron outfits trooped into the well of the Jharkhand Assembly to protest against the allocation of the namaz room.
They continued to chant slogans during Question Hour, leading to an adjournment till 12.30 pm.
Ruckus by the opposition BJP over the allotment of a room for offering namaz in the assembly had disrupted proceedings on Monday as well.
“The controversy created by the BJP is unwanted and the Assembly stands by its decision. Even in the old assembly building, a room above the library was used for offering namaz on Fridays. After shifting to the new building we have just provided a space so that our Muslim brothers can offer prayers. What is wrong if a place is formally notified?" Mahato was quoted as saying by Time of India, on Monday.
"The Assembly has always embraced all faiths and customs by organising programs on different festivals."
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