GUWAHATI: The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is to introduce a bill to ban polygamy in the state wherein the proposed legislation is expected to be tabled in the upcoming monsoon session of the Assam Assembly, as announced by CM Sarma in a press event on July 13.
Talking to the media, the Assam CM stated, “If the expert committee gives the report, before that, then we want to introduce it in the upcoming assembly session in September. If for some reason we could not do it, then, we will do it in the January assembly session.”
CM Sarma emphasised that the anti-polygamy bill is a crucial part of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) discourse.
While the implementation of the UCC falls under the jurisdiction of the Parliament, states can independently make decisions on specific aspects with the President's assent.
The aim of the proposed bill is to immediately prohibit the practice of polygamy in Assam.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the UCC covers various complex issues currently being examined by the Law Commission and the Parliamentary Committee.
In May, the Assam government formed a four-member panel, led by retired Gauhati High Court judge Justice Rumi Phukan, to assess the legality of legislative action against polygamy.
The panel consisted of Assam Advocate General Debajit Saikia, Assam Additional Advocate General Nalin Kohli, and Gauhati High Court advocate Nekibur Zaman.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 11 expressed his views on the need to address polygamy for the betterment of Muslim women.
He emphasised that the UCC would greatly benefit women by ensuring equal property rights, empowering them, and bringing them on par with men.
