Assam cabinet nod for repealing Muslim Marriage And Divorce Registration Act
In a step closer to Union Civil Code (UCC), the Assam Cabinet has approved the Assam Repealing Bill 2024, which aims to repeal the Assam Muslims Marriages and Divorce Registration Act of 1935 and the Assam Muslims Marriage and Divorces Registration Rules of 1935. This decision follows the state’s recent success in cracking down on child marriage which claimed a reduction of 81 per cent in child marriage across the state.
A report titled “Towards Justice: Ending Child Marriage’ released by India Child Protection (ICP) stated that the state has achieved a remarkable 81 per cent reduction in child marriage incidences between 2021-22 and 2023-24. In absolute numbers, the cases of child marriage in the study villages decreased from 3,225 in 2021-22 to 627 in 2023-24.
“We have taken a significant step to ensure justice for our daughters and sisters by putting additional safeguards against child marriage. In the meeting of the Assam Cabinet today we have decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules 1935 vide the Assam Repealing Bill 2024,” Assam chif minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X after the cabinet meeting.
“To bring parity registration of marriage and divorce, the state cabinet has accorded approval to the Assam Repealing Bill 2024 which aims to repeal the Assam Muslims Marriages and Divorce Registration Act, 1935. And the Assam Muslims Marriage and Divorces Registration Rules, 1935,” Sarma posted.
The Bill will be placed before the next monsoon session of the Assam Legislative Assembly for consideration.
Sarma said that the state cabinet also directed that suitable legislation be brought for the registration of Muslim marriages in Assam to be considered by the next session of the assembly.
On February 12, this year, the chief minister hd announced his government’s intention to introduce strong legislation aimed at banning polygamy and implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This move is seen as a significant step towards ensuring uniformity in the legal system across all communities within the state.
“Assam cabinet has also discussed both UCC and the polygamy Bill. We were following (legislation to ban) polygamy, but Uttarakhand has passed the UCC (Bill). We are now working on aligning both (issues) so that we can prepare robust legislation. We are working on that,” Sarma had said.
“The UCC (legislation passed by Uttarakhand) is banning polygamy while making it a civil offence. We were thinking of making polygamy a criminal offence. Since the country needs a uniform policy, we are going to align these. For that, I will have a round with our central leadership on which direction we should go,” Sarma added.
However, the Bill was not introduced by the state government in the assembly in the last budget session of the assembly.
Following the release of the International Child Protection (ICP) report on July 17, which commended the Assam government for its efforts against child marriage, the state government has intensified its activities to eradicate child marriage. This renewed focus is aimed at reinforcing the state’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring their well-being.
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