In a recent development, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, announced changes to the schedule of the Rajya Sabha's Friday sessions. On the 8th of December, he conveyed to the house that the timing of sittings on Fridays would now align with the Lok Sabha timings. This adjustment aims to streamline the parliamentary proceedings, ensuring better coordination between the two houses.

This decision came to light when DMK MP Tiruchi N. Siva raised a concern regarding the revised list of businesses. He noted that there was an agenda listed at 2 PM on Friday, the 8th of December. This alteration in the schedule appears to be a strategic move by the Rajya Sabha to enhance efficiency and synchronicity in the legislative process.

It's crucial to understand the context of this change and its implications for the functioning of the Rajya Sabha. By aligning Friday sessions with Lok Sabha timings, Vice President Dhankhar aims to foster a more cohesive and structured parliamentary environment. This move not only signifies a practical adjustment but also reflects the commitment to optimize the utilization of legislative time for the benefit of the nation.

As we delve into the details of this development, it becomes evident that the modification involves more than just a change in timing. It involves a removal of an additional 30-minute break specifically allocated for Namaz on Fridays. This change has sparked discussions and raised questions about the impact on the religious practices of certain members of the house.

The matter at hand revolves around the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Rajya Sabha, specifically addressing an additional lunch break of 30 minutes allotted on Fridays. This break is designed to accommodate Muslim members of the upper house, allowing them the necessary time to observe the namaz. According to the established rulebook, the Rajya Sabha typically convenes from 11 AM to 1 PM, followed by a break from 1 PM to 2 PM, and then resumes its proceedings from 2 PM to 6 PM. However, on Fridays, a deviation from this schedule is observed, with the house reconvening at 2.30 PM after the lunch break. Though not explicitly stated, it is widely understood that this extra break on Fridays is specifically permitted for the purpose of observing namaz.

The timing of the DMK MP's concern is significant—it was raised during the zero hour on Friday, shortly after the house commenced its business, constituting a point of order. This underscores the urgency and relevance of the issue, as the parliamentarians were actively engaging in discussions and proceedings. The timing of the concern further emphasizes the need for a timely resolution to address the matter, ensuring that it doesn't disrupt the ongoing legislative activities.

MP Tiruchi N. Siva highlighted a significant change during the zero hour, bringing attention to the removal of the 'namaz' break in the Rajya Sabha. This break, previously allocated for members to observe the namaz on Fridays, has undergone a modification.

However, in response to the raised concerns, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar clarified that this alteration is not a recent development and has been in practice for some time. He emphasized that the removal of the 'namaz' break is not something implemented starting this Friday. Rather, it had been initiated earlier, and the rationale behind this decision had been communicated to the members.

The chairman addressed the Honorable Members, stating, 'This is not being done from today. This has already been done earlier by me, and the reason was given.' This statement provides a crucial context, assuring members that the decision was not made abruptly but had been a pre-existing practice with a clear explanation behind its implementation.

The house chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, clarified the reasoning behind the change in the Friday timing, stating that it has been adjusted to align with the Lok Sabha schedule. The synchronization of timings between the two houses is crucial for the smooth functioning of the parliamentary system, fostering coordination and efficiency in legislative proceedings.

Notably, it's essential to recognize that the practice of a 'namaz' break on Fridays was specific to the Rajya Sabha and not observed in the Lok Sabha. Chairman Dhankhar emphasized this distinction, underlining that the need for synchronization of timing is a broader consideration that applies to both houses as integral parts of the Parliament.

Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasized the integral nature of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as essential components of the Parliament. In this context, he asserted the importance of adhering to the same timing 'to the extent possible.' This commitment to aligning timings reflects a broader strategy aimed at enhancing the overall efficiency and coordination between the two houses.

To provide additional context, the chairman mentioned that Lok Sabha traditionally starts its sessions at 2 PM. In the spirit of maintaining unity between the two houses, he directed the Rajya Sabha to also commence its sessions at 2 PM on an earlier occasion. This adjustment, therefore, is not a recent development but part of an ongoing effort to harmonize the functioning of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

After the initial objection raised by DMK MP Tiruchi N. Siva, another DMK MP, M. Mohamed Abdulla, stepped in to express dissent regarding the decision to alter the Friday timing in the Rajya Sabha. Abdulla objected to the change, highlighting the longstanding tradition of observing a break at 2.30 PM for Muslim Members to attend the jumma prayer on Fridays. He emphasized that this practice has been in place for '60-70 years.'

He continued, stating, 'Sir, 2.30 PM was fixed for the purpose of Muslim Members for their jumma on Fridays. It was the practice.' 

However, in response to these objections, Vice President Dhankhar reiterated the principle of inclusivity within the parliamentary framework. Dhankhar emphasized that the Parliament comprises members from diverse communities, and any specific exception for Muslim parliamentarians would be inconsistent with the inclusive nature of the parliamentary proceedings.

Vice President Dhankhar's stance underlines the challenge of balancing the diverse religious practices of parliamentarians with the need for a uniform and inclusive approach in parliamentary proceedings. The differing perspectives on this matter highlight the complexities of addressing religious observances within the broader context of parliamentary functioning.

He said, “Hon. Members, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have Members drawn from all sections of the society. Lok Sabha sits at 2 PM. There are Members from every segment. Consciously, after due deliberation, I had effected it, indicated to the House and this was already in place in the last Session. It was stated that the House will meet after lunch at 2 p.m. being in conformity with the timeframe indicated by Lok Sabha.”

Dhankhar reinforced the fact that Lok Sabha traditionally commences its sessions at 2 PM. In doing so, he highlighted the presence of Members from every segment of society in Lok Sabha, emphasizing the need for a synchronized approach to maintain harmony between the two houses.

The Vice President provided insights into the decision-making process, stating, 'Consciously, after due deliberation, I had effected it, indicated to the House and this was already in place in the last Session.' This statement underscores that the timing adjustment was not an impromptu decision but a result of careful consideration and due deliberation. It also indicates that this change had already been implemented in the last session, suggesting a continuity in the approach to scheduling.

Dhankhar clarified that the decision to have the House meet after lunch at 2 PM was made in conformity with the timeframe indicated by Lok Sabha. This conformity ensures a streamlined and coordinated approach between the two houses, allowing for a more efficient and synchronized parliamentary functioning.

After the chairman reiterated that this change in timing was implemented in the last session and it was already explained to the members, there were no more protests from the members.

The chairman's reaffirmation of the timing adjustment being a past decision, already communicated to the members, appears to have brought resolution to the concerns raised during the session. The absence of further protests suggests a level of acceptance among the members after the clarification provided by Vice President Dhankhar.

However, it's noteworthy that despite the clarification, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Rajya Sabha published on the Sansad Website has not been updated yet, and the 2016 edition document still shows an extra lunch break of 30 minutes on Fridays.

This discrepancy raises questions about the documentation reflecting the current practices of the Rajya Sabha. It emphasizes the need for timely updates to ensure that official documents accurately represent the rules and procedures followed in the parliamentary sessions. The apparent disparity between the recent change and the online documentation underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and keeping the official records up-to-date.

In summary, while the clarification from the chairman may have addressed immediate concerns during the session, the existing disparity in the official documentation raises broader considerations about the transparency and accuracy of information available to the members and the public. It points towards the ongoing need for communication and updates to ensure that the official records align with the current practices of the Rajya Sabha.