Bill to abolish Muslim marriage and divorce law passed in Assam assembly

The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed a bill that repeals a law related to the registration of marriages and divorces of Muslims. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan introduced the Assam Repeal Bill, 2024 in the Assembly on August 22, which provides for the repeal of the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, 1935 and the Assam Repeal Ordinance 2024.

During the discussion on the bill in the House, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, ‘Our aim is not only to end child marriage but also to get rid of the Qazi system. We want to bring the registration of marriage and divorce of Muslims under the government system.’

Opposition parties protested
He said that all marriages will have to be registered as per the Supreme Court order, but the state government cannot support a separate private entity like the Qazi for this purpose. Opposition parties condemned the decision, calling it discriminatory against Muslims and polarizing voters in an election year. The Assam government on Tuesday introduced the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Compulsory Registration Bill, 2024.

Last month, the Cabinet approved the repeal bill to abolish the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act and Rules, 1935, which allowed underage marriages under special circumstances.

The Assam Cabinet had approved the decision to repeal the Act on February 23 to end the social evil of child marriage in the state. Opposition parties had condemned the decision, calling it ‘discriminatory against Muslims’ and brought to polarise voters in an election year.