Assam govt to introduce a bill on Nov 25 to criminalise polygamy with up to seven years’ jail irrespective of religion; move framed as gender-justice reform.
Assam Government to Table Polygamy Ban Bill on November 25
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that his government will introduce a bill on November 25 to criminalise polygamy, proposing up to seven years’ imprisonment for anyone entering a second marriage without a judicial divorce. The proposed law will apply irrespective of religion, the CM said, and is being presented as part of a broader push to strengthen women’s rights and enforce monogamy under state law.
The cabinet last week cleared a package of bills that also includes legislation on “love jihad” and redistribution of surplus tea-garden land to workers. In his public remarks, Srma framed the polygamy measure as a tool to uphold the sanctity of marriage and promote gender equality. He insisted the state will not allow religious practice to be used to justify multiple marriages, saying the law will align social practices with constitutional principles of equality and justice.
Officials have said the polygamy bill would make Assam one of the few states to adopt a specific statutory framework criminalising multiple marriages. The announcement follows a sustained crackdown by the state government on social practices it describes as harmful; Mr Sarma pointed to recent action against child marriage as evidence of the administration’s commitment to social reform. Critics, however, warn such laws can be controversial and may raise questions about personal laws and federal jurisdiction over marriage, particularly where religion-based family laws already exist.
