Mumbai: After Telangana and Andhra Pradesh granted early office departure to Muslim government employees during Ramzan, similar demands are now surfacing in Maharashtra and other states.
Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan confirmed that multiple applications have been received, urging the state government to permit Muslim employees to leave work an hour early during the holy month.
“We have received several requests for early office departure during Ramzan. India embodies the spirit of ‘Ganga Jamuna Tehzeeb,’ where diverse communities coexist in harmony,” Khan told IANS. He added that he plans to submit this demand to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The demand aligns with orders issued in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, allowing Muslim employees, including teachers and contract workers, to leave by 4 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. from March 2 to March 30.
“The government hereby permits all Muslim employees, including teachers and contract workers, to leave their offices early to perform religious rituals,” stated the Andhra Pradesh government order.
A similar directive from Telangana allowed early departures for all Muslim government employees, teachers, and contract workers during Ramzan, except when required for essential duties.
This demand is also gaining traction in Karnataka, where Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Vice Presidents M.R.M. Hussain and Syed Ahmad wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging the state to grant a one-hour exemption for Muslim employees to facilitate prayers and iftar.
However, the Karnataka government has yet to decide on the request.
