BJP slams Telangana GAD order allowing early leave for Ramzan
HYDERABAD: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday criticised a Government Order issued by the General Administration Department (Poll.B), Memo No. 677/Poll.B/26, dated February 17, 2026, permitting Muslim employees in Telangana to leave office an hour early during Ramzan to break their fast and offer prayers.
In a statement issued in Hyderabad, BJP state chief spokesperson and media in-charge N V Subhash said facilitating religious observances should not be selective.
“Extending such a concession to employees observing Ramzan may not, in isolation, invite criticism. However, the same courtesies should also be extended to the majority Hindu community during periods such as Ayyappa Deeksha or other significant religious observances,” Subhash said.
Raises concerns over parity in governance
He said selective concessions could create a perception of discrimination.
“There have been instances where Hindu employees observing Ayyappa Deeksha were discouraged from attending work in traditional black attire. Restrictions are frequently imposed on Hindu festivals, particularly during Ganesh Festival and Deepavali, with limitations on firecrackers. Such actions strengthen the sentiment among the majority community that their religious practices are subjected to greater scrutiny,” he added.
Subhash said secularism meant equal respect and facilitation for all faiths.
“In BJP-ruled states, governments strive to treat all communities equally by enabling them to celebrate their festivals without bias. Secularism must not become selective accommodation,” he said.
He urged the government led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to adopt a uniform policy framework to ensure parity in extending religious concessions.
“If similar considerations are shown during Ramzan, they must also be extended during major Hindu observances. Equality before law and governance cannot be compromised,” he said.
Subhash also referred to past remarks attributed to the Chief Minister and said political messaging should avoid reinforcing perceptions of community-based preference.
“When public statements are made dismissing labels such as ‘Revanthuddin’ or the notion that ‘Congress is for Muslims and Muslims for Congress,’ the government’s actions must align with constitutional secularism. Otherwise, it only fuels public suspicion,” he said.
The BJP demanded that the state government clarify whether it intended to implement a uniform policy on religious accommodations for employees across communities. It said governance must remain neutral, transparent and consistent.
