After polygamy ban, CM Himanta Biswa says next step is uniform civil code in Assam | Guwahati News
GUWAHATI: Assam passed Thursday an anti-polygamy bill with jail terms for violators, taking a major stride towards criminalising the practice. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the bill’s passage in the assembly as a historic moment for women and vowed to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) if the governing BJP returns to office next year. “Ban on polygamy is a direction towards uniform civil code,” Sarma said. Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, makes polygamy punishable with up to seven years of imprisonment. If a person weds someone while concealing a prior marriage, punishment can extend to ten years. Village heads, quazis and parents who take part in a polygamous marriage can face up to two years in jail.While opposition Congress and AIUDF criticised the bill as a breach of the Shariat Act of 1937, Sarma argued that monogamy was the norm in Islam and polygamy an exception.Under Shariat Act, Muslims were exempt from penalties for polygamy. Sarma said he was told that any state Act contradicting Union law needs President’s assent, expressing hope that President Murmu, being a woman, would approve the new law. tnn
