Assam to table bill for banning polygamy in February 2024

The bill to ban polygamy would be tabled in the next session of Assam assembly due in February next year, said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The bill seeks to pan polygamy in the state, while may have clauses for ‘love jihad’ suggest reports. 

On May 12 this year, the Assam government had announced the move to ban the practice of polygamy in the state through “legislative action”. An expert committee was also constituted to examine the issue. The expert committee has opined that the state government is legislatively competent to frame laws to end the practice of polygamy, however, it would need the President’s assent.

Talking to reporters, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The bill to ban polygamy will be placed on the floor of the Assam assembly which will commence from February 4.” Officials said that the state government had received as many as 149 suggestions in response to a public notice seeking feedback on the proposed law to ban the practice of marrying multiple times.

Before this, the Assam Government had cracked down on child marriages in February this year pledging to end the menace of child marriage in the state by 2026.  Total 4235 cases were registered while over 3000 were arrested. 

While the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Rafiqul Islam said his party will push for a discussion in the Assembly on a proposed Bill to ban polygamy that the state government plans to introduce in February next year. “We would seek a discussion on it (proposed draft legislation to ban polygamy in Assam). While there are many burning issues in the state the chief minister seems focussed only on polygamy,” said the AIUDF leader.

(With agency inputs)