The Assam Assembly on Thursday cleared the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, making the practice a criminal offence punishable with up to ten years in prison. The legislation, however, excludes members of Scheduled Tribe communities and areas governed under the Sixth Schedule.
Introducing the bill, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stressed that the move targets no particular religion. “This law is for everyone. It is not against Islam as some claim. Hindus are also not free from polygamy—that is our responsibility too,” he said, adding that the legislation covers people from Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other communities alike.
Sarma urged the opposition to withdraw their proposed amendments to allow the bill to pass unanimously as a show of collective support for women’s rights. However, members of the AIUDF and CPI(M) continued to press their changes, which were ultimately defeated through a voice vote.
Speaking on the broader prospect of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Assam, the Chief Minister said he would introduce such legislation if re-elected next year. “I assure the House that if I return as Chief Minister, the UCC bill will be brought in the first session of the new government and implemented,” he said, calling the polygamy ban a step towards that goal.
Sarma also announced the government’s intention to introduce a new law targeting what he termed “deceptive marriage”. “A bill against deceptive marriage will be brought during this session by the end of February. Whatever we have spoken about love-jihad, we will do that,” he added, reiterating an earlier declaration that the state plans to enact legislation on the issue.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
