Assam scraps Muslim marriage registration law

Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet late on Friday night approved a repeal of the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stating that the move will help the government prevent child marriages in the state.

“This Act contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21 respectively, as required by law. This move marks another significant step towards prohibiting child marriages in Assam,” wrote Sarma on X.

As per the Cabinet decision, District Commissioners and District Registrars will have the authority to take custody of registration records under the overall supervision and control of the Assam Inspector General of Registration. At present, the registers are held by 94 Muslim Marriage Registrars.

Following the repeal of the Act, a one-time compensation of Rs two lakh will be provided to Muslim Marriage Registrars for their rehabilitation.

Minister for Public Health Engineering, Skill Development Employment & Entrepreneurship and Tourism Department, Jayanta Malla Baruah told media that it was a step towards doing away with the colonial act and a very important step in the journey towards a Uniform Civil Code in the state, Indian Express reported.

“The Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act of 1935, under which 94 Muslim registrars were currently facilitating the registration and divorce of Muslim marriages in the state has been repealed. In today’s Cabinet meeting, this Act was revoked, meaning that from today onwards, Muslim marriages and divorces cannot be registered under this Act. Instead, we have the Special Marriage Act, and we encourage all marriages to be registered under this Act,” Baruah told media.

Bringing the UCC has been Sarma’s main promise to the people of Assam since he became the CM. Earlier this month, he had also said that the government would ban polygamy in the state.

However, the state government has also been cracking down on people involved in child marriages. In February last year, 3,483 individuals were arrested and 4,515 cases registered. Likewise, in October 915 arrests were made and 710 cases filed in this regard.