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Do Not Yield To Religious Demands In Essential Services, Hindu Munnani Tells NTPC After Muslim Body Demands Friday Break

By
The Commune
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hindu munnani ntpc

Hindu Munnani has urged the NTPC management in Thoothukudi not to yield to demands from a Muslim organization seeking permission for Muslim employees to leave work every Friday for congregational prayers. The group has argued that such an allowance could disrupt operations at the thermal power station, which is part of the essential services sector.

In a statement posted on its official X account, Hindu Munnani warned that granting regular weekly leave for Friday prayers could set a precedent that may affect productivity and create logistical challenges. “Every week comes a Friday, that would be 52 Fridays in a year. If permission is granted for all Fridays, how will an essential service like a power generation plant operate?” the group asked.

The organization further argued that if such permissions are granted, it may lead to similar requests from workers of other faiths. Citing Hindu observances like Sashti, Ekadashi, Amavasya, and Pradosham, Hindu Munnani questioned whether similar accommodations would be made for all religious practices without disrupting workplace responsibilities.

The statement concluded by urging the NTPC administration to reject the request, cautioning against “communal appeasement” and calling for balanced, non-disruptive workplace policies in essential services.

The Hindu Munnani’s statement read, “Do Not Succumb to Communalism. A Muslim organization has requested that Muslim laborers at the Thoothukudi National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) be allowed to attend Friday prayers at a nearby mosque. The thermal power plant management should carefully consider and reject the Muslim organization’s request. Every week comes a Friday, that would be 52 Fridays in a year. If permission is granted for all Fridays, how will an essential service like a power generation plant operate? If these workers leave for midday prayers, who will cover their duties? Hindus also have numerous fasting days like Sashti, Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Krithigai, Amavasya, and Pradosham. These are also mandatory fasts for Hindus. Therefore, if everyone starts asking for permission like they do for Friday prayers, would it be granted? Will the production management be able to function? Therefore, will Islamic leaders abandon Taliban practices and learn to live in harmony with society? The thermal power plant management should consider this and reject the Muslim organization’s request.”

This development follows allegations by Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) president M.H. Jawahirullah, who criticized the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) officials in Thoothukudi for reportedly restricting Muslim employees from attending Friday prayers.

Jawahirullah pointed out that, for decades, Muslim workers at the NTPC facility have routinely used their lunch breaks to visit a nearby mosque located near the port shop complex to fulfill their religious duties. He emphasized that this practice has been ongoing without causing any disruption to work and has been supported by both central and state government directives that recognize and facilitate religious observance in the workplace.

However, recent reports suggest that NTPC’s higher officials have now instructed Muslim employees not to leave the premises for Friday prayers. Jawahirullah criticized this move as a denial of the fundamental right to worship and called on the plant’s management to reverse the decision. He urged NTPC authorities to ensure that Muslim workers are permitted to attend Friday prayers during their designated lunch break, as has been the norm for decades.

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