GUWAHATI: The Assam government will enact a new law requiring individuals to provide six months' notice before getting married from April 2025, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a session of the Assam Assembly on Wednesday, August 27.
ALSO READ: Jay Shah Elected Next ICC Chairman Unopposed
Sarma noted that marriage, as a legally recognised institution, is losing its esteem due to the rise of elopements. This legislation aims to address the problem by enforcing mandatory prior registration or notification. Sarma expressed concern about couples meeting online, changing their names, and marrying, which he believes compromises the sanctity of marriage.
"We will bring this law to stop love jihad. Instant marriages are not allowed even today as the Special Marriage Act of 1954 has a provision for one month’s notice. We will extend the period to six months for inter-religious marriages," Sarma told the media.
The Chief Minister claimed that the reverence associated with marriage is being diminished by individuals who attempt to deceive their partners by altering their names on social media.
"Marriages take place in an institutional manner in a systematic way. I don't use the word 'Love Jihad,' but the way the marriages are taking place, this cannot be the foundation of a prosperous family. For a prosperous family, there is a certain dignity of marriage. When individuals try to break that decorum, then that marriage can never be accepted into the legal fold of an institution. Hence we are bringing a law in April 2025 and we need your support. The law says that 6 months prior to marriage, couples have to submit a notice," Sarma stated in the Assembly.
Sarma further stated that whether it's a Hindu marrying a Hindu, a Hindu marrying a Muslim, or a Muslim marrying a Muslim, couples will be required to notify the government six months before their marriage. "We will bring a law, wherein, Hindu marrying a Hindu, Hindu marrying a Muslim or Muslim marrying a Hindu will send a notice to the government, 6 months prior to their marriage. Getting married by running away from home can never be accepted. One will change his/her name to Hindu and get married to a Muslim-Hindu or vice versa. That won't work," Sarma added.
This new law will be an amendment to the Special Marriage Act of 1954, which currently requires only one month’s notice, but will specifically apply to inter-religious marriages. On Tuesday, Sarma also called for a discussion on the demographic shifts related to Hindus and Muslims in the state, particularly in Lower Assam, warning that such changes could lead to significant human consequences. He stressed that the Hindu-Muslim issue is the most pressing matter in the state and needs urgent debate and resolution.
"The Hindu-Muslim issue is the most burning issue in the state today; we need to debate and resolve it," Sarma concluded.
