Bihar, Andhra Pradesh relax timings for Muslim employees: Twitter is not amused

The Bihar and Andhra governments have issued orders about timings relating to its Muslims in the month of Ramzan.

The Bihar government on March 17 granted permission to Muslim employees and officials to come one hour before the office timings, so that they can leave office early.

The decision came ahead of Ramzan.

The official circular read, keeping in view the convenience of Muslim employees and officials, the government has granted permission to come to the office one hour before the scheduled time and leave the office one hour before the scheduled time during the month of Ramzan".

The circular also said that Muslim employees will be allowed to lave the office early in the month of Ramzan every year.

A similar decision had been made by the Andhra Pradesh government in March this year. The Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy led government said that Muslim employees working in government departments will be allowed to leave office an hour early during Ramazan. A circular said that the order will come into force on March 24 and will remain effective till April 23.

"All government employees and teachers who profess Islam, apart from staff working on contract and outsourcing basis, including village and ward volunteers, will be able to leave early; except when their presence is required due to exigencies of work," the circular read.

Social media reactions:

The social media users have mixed reactions to these decisions.

"What these employees will do in office by coming an hour early? When they will leave the office before, others will be burdened with extra work. The government should have thought of the other employees as well," one user wrote.

Another asked, 'any such relaxation to Hindus during Navratri?'

"This is clear Contempt of rules. Let them take leave, if they want. Why government work suffering. Means now no one can say them to work after office hours, even if that is urgent, because government given them in writing," wrote another.

'I fast during Navratra. I do not get additional "off hours". I have only 4 days government holidays for Hindu Festivals in a calendar year. I am Hindu. My country is birthplace of Hinduism and only home to Hindus. I am second class citizen in my own country,' wrote another.

"Muslim appeasement at its best. Why make hospitals or roads when one can get their votes by just doing this," said another user.

"Will this magnanimity will be extended to Hindus during Navarstras ? If Not does it not amount to Appeasement ? It's said one is known by company one keeps. May be RJD in Driving seat U just say OK for what they planned ."Congratulations for New Company," said another.