The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has withdrawn its order on Wednesday which allowed all its Muslim employees who are observing the fast during the month of Ramzan to leave office early. The order was opposed by NDMC Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay, saying any such directive was not secular.
Also, on Tuesday the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) had rescinded within hours its order allowing its Muslim employees a two-hour break from work daily during Ramzan. The order was opposed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to a new circular issued by NDMC on Wednesday, the competent authority has decided to withdraw order with immediate effect. Ramzan is ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which followers of faith fast from dawn to dusk, pray for peace and guidance, and give back to community inform of charity.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Upadhyay had said, “I have spoken to NDMC Chairman and Competent Authority of civic body and urged him to immediately withdraw order allowing Muslim employees to leave office at 4.30 pm during Ramzan. “I never knew of any such order and as it came to my knowledge I opposed such order which is unsecular.”