Assam passes polygamy ban bill; Himanta Sarma promises UCC if he becomes CM again

Guwahati: Following intense debate Assam assembly passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025. Assam chief minister chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that if returned to power this government will bring Uniform civil code (UCC), marriageable ages of girls will be made 21 years and there will be ban of Nika Halala and Muta marriage.

Assam is going to assembly polls early next year. Speaking in the state assembly on Thursday during the debate of Polygamy bill, Sarma said that in the next session of assembly in February the government will bring a law against deceptive marriage.

Sarma said that women empowerment has been the basic aim of this government and there is no role of any religion. “We have been religiously neutral and gender biased. We are biased towards women. We managed to stop child marriage. More than 5000 people were arrested.”


He added, “There are almost 35 seats in Assam where Muslim votes are determining votes; however it has been several years since there have been hardly any MLA from these seats. Child marriage and multiple marriages has taken away the right to live from Muslim women in Assam. If someone is alleging that through this law Muslims community is targeted it is wrong, for in Hindus there is prevalence of polygamy.”

Sarma said, “Sixth schedule areas make their own laws and practice of polygamy is hardly there among the tribals here. After this law is passed from this assembly, I hope the sixth schedule councils will also come up with similar laws. Three years back we started the exercise by constituting a committee on polygamy. In the public opinion only two petitions came supporting polygamy rest sought banning it.”

Sarma said that in Islamic society monogamy is the law, polygamy is the exception. “The supreme court has been saying that time has come to adopt UCC. I am making a promise here that if I come back as chief minister I will bring UCC in the first session of the new assembly. I will make the marriageable age of marriage for girls 21 years from 18 years.”

He added, “Here is my agenda: mandatory registration of all marriages and no instant divorce, equal rights in divorce proceedings, cannot blame only one of married couples for cruelties, adultery, impotency. Equal right of inheritance, ban of Nika Halla and Muta marriage. I had discussed these with the Centre.”

Nikka Halla is a practice in which a woman, after being divorced by her husband by triple talaq, marries another man, consummates the marriage, and gets divorced again. Muta marriage is a temporary, contract-based marriage for a fixed period with a specified dower.

The polygamy law will be sent for Presidential assent will apply across the state, except in Sixth Schedule areas, and will not cover members of Scheduled Tribes as defined under Article 342 of the Constitution.

This law makes polygamy a criminal offence, carrying up to seven years’ imprisonment and up to 10 years, if a person hides an existing marriage. It also brings gaonburahs, village heads, qazis, parents and legal guardians under its scope. Anyone who “wilfully hides, neglects or unreasonably delays” reporting information about such marriages may be punished under the same sections as the main offenders. Repeat offenders and abettors will also face penalties.

The law also has a far-reaching provision that significantly expands the scope of its jurisdiction beyond residents of the state. A key clause states, "Any person who, before the commencement of the Act, has been ordinarily residing in the state of Assam and who willingly and knowingly enters into a polygamous marriage, outside the State of Assam, after the commencement of this Act, shall also be punishable under the provisions of this Act. The law also extends to people who live outside Assam but own immovable property in the state or receive state-funded benefits, subsidies or welfare support.

The legislation gives police officers the power to intervene before a prohibited marriage takes place. Once the police receive information about an impending polygamous ceremony, the officer in charge, or an officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector, must reach the location, declare the ceremony illegal, disperse the gathering and try to stop the marriage.
The law also provides a mechanism for compensation to women affected by polygamous marriages. A designated authority will be notified to process applications and disburse compensation.