Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government seeks to impose a ban on polygamy. The Assam government has decided to constitute an expert committee to explore the legality of the decision. The committee will examine whether the state legislature is empowered to impose a ban on polygamy in the state. "The Assam Government has decided to form an expert committee to examine whether the state Legislature is empowered to prohibit polygamy in the state. The committee will examine the provisions of The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937 read with Article 25 of the Constitution of India, Vis-a-Vis the directive principle of state policy .The committee will engage in extensive discussions with all stakeholders, including legal experts, to arrive at a well-informed decision," the Assam CM wrote on Twitter. The Assam Government has decided to form an expert committee to examine whether the state Legislature is empowered to prohibit polygamy in the state. The committee will examine the provisions of The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937 read with Article 25 of the Constitution…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 9, 2023
Sarma said the Assam government does not seek to go through the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to outlaw polygamy but wants to end the practice under a state act. The panel is expected to discuss legal means for the purpose with experts to scrutinise the provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s intent to ban polygamy in the state comes after Assam launched a drive to end child marriage in the northeastern state under The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. Nearly 4,000 cases were registered against child marriage and over 3,000 people were arrested.
