“Assam Passes Bill for Muslim Marriage Registration; Himanta Eyes Polygamy Ban as Next Step”

Dispur/ 29 August,2024 : The Assam Assembly recently passed the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024, making it mandatory for Muslim marriages and divorces to be registered with the government. This new legislation replaces the previous 1935 Act, which had governed these matters in the state for nearly nine decades. The bill was introduced by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan on Tuesday and was passed by the Assembly on Thursday, marking a significant shift in how Muslim marriages and divorces are documented in Assam.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been a vocal advocate for legal reforms in the state, described the day as “historic.” He noted that the bill’s passage was a major step towards modernizing and standardizing the registration process for Muslim marriages, which had previously been managed under the Kazi system. This traditional system allowed clerics, or Kazis, to register marriages, often without formal government oversight. The new law, however, mandates that all Muslim marriages and divorces be registered with the government, ensuring compliance with the legal age of marriage—18 years for girls and 21 years for boys.

In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Sarma emphasized the broader social impact of the bill, particularly its role in preventing teenage pregnancies and improving the overall well-being of young girls in Assam. He stated, “This Act will now make it mandatory to register marriages with the Govt and cannot contravene the legal age of marriage of 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. It will also act as a strict deterrent against teenage pregnancy and improve the overall growth of our girls.” The Chief Minister also assured that marriages previously registered by Kazis would remain valid under the new law, but all future marriages would need to be registered with the government.

Sarma further revealed that his government’s next target is to ban polygamy, signaling a continued push for legal reforms in personal laws. He thanked all legislators who supported the bill, highlighting that the legislation transcends party lines and focuses on the well-being of young girls by preventing child marriage. “This Bill is above party politics and is a means to give our girls a life of dignity,” Sarma added.

The passage of the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024, represents a significant legal and social reform in Assam, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring the rights and protection of women and girls in the state. By moving away from the traditional Kazi system and requiring government registration, the bill aims to provide greater transparency and accountability in the marriage registration process, ultimately contributing to the state’s broader efforts to combat child marriage and promote gender equality.