The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed a bill that bans polygamy in the state, making the practice a criminal offence that can lead to up to ten years in jail. The law, however, does not apply to people from Scheduled Tribe communities or regions governed under the Sixth Schedule.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who introduced the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, said during the debate that the legislation is not aimed at any one religion. “This law is for everyone. It is not against Islam as some people are saying. Hindus are also not free from polygamy. That is our responsibility too,” he said. “This bill will cover people from Hindu, Muslim, Christian and all other societies.”
Sarma requested the opposition to withdraw their amendments so the bill could pass unanimously as a message of support for women. However, AIUDF and CPI(M) members continued to push their changes, which were rejected by a voice vote.
Speaking on the possibility of a Uniform Civil Code in Assam, the Chief Minister said he would bring it in if he returns to power after next year’s state elections. “I assure the House that if I come back as Chief Minister, the UCC bill will be brought in the first session of the new government and will be implemented,” he said. He added that banning polygamy was a step towards a future UCC.
Sarma also said that the government will soon bring a law against what he described as “deceptive marriage”. “A bill against deceptive marriage will be introduced during this session by the end of February. Whatever we have spoken about love-jihad, we will do that,” he said. The Chief Minister had earlier announced that the government planned to ban what it calls love-jihad and bring a law related to it.
