Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], February 18: The Telangana Government has issued a directive allowing Muslim government employees, teachers, contractors, and public sector workers to leave their offices and schools at 4:00 p.m. during the Holy Month of Ramzan, from March 2 to March 31, to offer prayers. The decision, except in cases of exigent service needs, was announced by Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari.
The official order, issued on February 15, states that government employees, including those working in boards and corporations, will be permitted to leave early to fulfill their religious obligations during the fasting month.
However, the move has sparked criticism from the BJP, who allege that the state government is trying to appease the Muslim community. BJP leader Amit Malviya expressed concern that no similar allowances were made for Hindus fasting during Navratri. He criticized the decision, calling it “tokenism” aimed at reducing the Muslim community to a mere “vote bank.”
BJP Senior Leader P. Muralidhar Rao also criticized the Telangana Congress government, accusing them of prioritizing one community over others and indulging in “blatant appeasement.” He emphasized that the government had never made similar concessions for Hindus during religious festivals such as Navratri or for Jains during Paryushan.
Tags: Telangana Government, Ramzan, Early Leave, BJP, Appeasement, Muslim Employees, Religious Concessions, Vote Bank Politics, Secularism, Congress Government