Mumbai’s political circles are buzzing as Samajwadi Party senior leader Abu Azmi makes a fervent plea to the Maharashtra government. Speaking exclusively, Azmi highlighted the profound significance of Ramadan for the Muslim community, urging authorities to introduce special working hour relaxations for fasting employees.
In a detailed conversation, Azmi revealed he has personally appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He proposed that government staff observing Roza and prayers be allowed to leave offices by 4 PM during the holy month. ‘This is a standard practice in states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana,’ Azmi pointed out, emphasizing that such measures respect religious sentiments without disrupting essential services.
Azmi didn’t stop there. With the upcoming assembly session in mind, he called for similar accommodations to ensure Muslim legislators and staff can fulfill their religious duties. ‘Ramadan holds immense spiritual value; denying this flexibility ignores cultural realities,’ he asserted.
Shifting gears, Azmi dismissed the controversy surrounding the upcoming film ‘The Kerala Story 2’ as baseless propaganda. He challenged the narrative of ‘love jihad,’ arguing that interfaith marriages are common and should be regulated by law if needed, rather than fueling hatred through cinema. ‘Films should promote unity, not division. Let the courts handle violations,’ he advised, even suggesting Supreme Court intervention.
On Gujarat’s new rule mandating parental consent for marriages, Azmi endorsed the move, stating it safeguards family structures. Meanwhile, he criticized the heavy-handed response to Youth Congress protests during the AI Summit, quoting Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia to defend the right to dissent.
As Maharashtra navigates these sensitive issues, Azmi’s demands spotlight the ongoing debate on religious accommodations in governance, promising to shape policy discussions ahead.