GUWAHATI: A recent official tweet by the CM of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the Government Of Assam has officially resolved to form an expert committee to examine whether the State Legislature of Assam is empowered to prohibit polygamy state-wide.
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 also engage in extensive discussions with all stakeholders, including legal experts, to arrive at a well-informed decision on this matter,” read the Twitter post by CM Sarma.
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
Polygamy is generally prohibited in all religious communities in India except the Muslim community.
Practising polygamy is an offence punishable under Sections 494 & 495 of the IPC except for the Muslim community wherein Section 2 of the Muslim Personal
Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 governs the law pertaining to marriage which allows polygamy.
