On December 8, Jagdeep Dhankar, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha and vice president, told the house that the Friday session hours had been adjusted to align with the Lok Sabha schedule. At 2:00 PM on Friday, December 8, the vice president made the following statement in response to a question raised by DMK MP Tiruchi N. Siva regarding the inclusion of a matter: According to the Rajya Sabha’s rules of procedure and conduct of business, Friday lunch breaks are extended by thirty minutes so Muslim members of the upper house can perform Namaz, which caused him concern.
 He was worried because Muslims of the upper house are allowed to perform Namaz during the thirty-minute lunch break on Friday under the Rajya Sabha’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. According to the rules, Rajya Sabha meets from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.There is one hour set aside for lunch between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. On Friday, however, the house sits after lunch at 2:30 p.m. Even though it isn’t mentioned, it is believed that this extra break is allowed by Namaz on Fridays.
Shortly after the house gathered for business on Friday at zero hour, the DMK MP raised the matter as a point of order.
However, as noted by MP Tiruchi N.Siva, the Rajya Sabha no longer uses the “Namaz” break. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar clarified, saying that this is not a new practice; rather, it has been in place for some time. Honorable Members, this will not be carried out as of right now. I ended this before and clarified why, he said.
The Friday schedule has been rearranged to align with the Lok Sabha, as stated by the house chairman. It’s interesting to note that only the Rajya Sabha observed the Friday “Namaz” break. The Lok Sabha meets at 2 p.m.The National Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha must convene simultaneously whenever possible because they are integral parts of Parliament. I ordered that earlier time to be 2 PM. To be clear, Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “This is not the beginning.” Then, another DMK MP, M. Mohamed Abdulla, spoke up to express his disagreement with the decision. He noted that this has been the standard procedure for 60–70 years. Sir, Friday jumma for Muslim members was scheduled for 2:30 PM.
VP Dhankar retorted that there cannot be a special exception made for Muslim lawmakers alone because parliament is composed of representatives from all communities.
Respected members and representatives to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are selected from all facets of society. The Lok Sabha meets at 2:00 PM. Among the members are representatives from every industry. I had purposefully made the adjustment, notified the House, and it had been put into effect during the prior session. According to the schedule established by the Lok Sabha, the House will meet again at 2 p.m. after lunch, he said.
