Perturbed by wide spread criticism it received for decision to allow 90 minute of Juma namaz break to the employees, the State Government could skip the execution of cabinet decision. The Government could also bring changes in the contentious decision by mellowing down the tenor of order and make it more inclusive by extending the benefit to the members of all religions.
With an eye to influence the Muslim votes- which constitute 13.94 percent of the total population of the state-in the ensuing assembly elections the state cabinet on December 17 decided to extend special break to the members of Muslim community on Friday between12.30 PM to 2 PM so that they could attend the prayer of Jumma. December 23 was the first Friday after the decision of cabinet and in absence of relevant Government Order (GO); the decision could not get executed. When contacted, the Additional Secretary, General Administration and minority welfare Vijay Chandra Kaushal told The Pioneer that he has received the cabinet note for the decision and the file is under process for release of GO.
It is however evident that the government is treading cautiously on the subject due to the flake it received from various quarters. The opposition BJP was quick to latch on the issue and blasted the Congress government for indulging in the politics of minority appeasement. The national spokesperson of the BJP, Anil Balooni was particularly severe in his attack as he accused Harish Rawat of playing divisive politics and said that the people of the state would give a befitting reply to the congress in the elections. The social sites are also replete with the criticism of the move with majority of the users disapproving the step of the government. The beleaguered government was isolated further when the state Congress Chief Kishore Upadhyaya chided the government by stating that the worship is an individual issue and governments should not intervene in these matters.
The Muslim employees in the State Government are also not too enthused by the decision of state cabinet on Jumma break. “It is always prudent to keep the religion out of the Governance. If the Government thinks it can woo Muslims by such decisions then it should correct itself. The Muslims want more share in government jobs and want schemes which are progressive for the community,’’ said a senior officer of education department.