Big Move By Assam Govt! Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act to be abolished
The Assam cabinet announced on Thursday its decision to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act of 1935. This legislative change aims to implement stronger safeguards against child marriages. The new legislation will be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session of the assembly.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the news on X, stating, “We have taken a significant step to ensure justice for our daughters and sisters by putting additional safeguards against child marriage. In the meeting of the Assam cabinet today, we have decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act, 1935.”
The decision to repeal the 89-year-old Act, which had allowed for the voluntary registration of Muslim marriages and divorces in Assam, was initially approved by the cabinet in February this year. The Act also authorized licensed individuals to register these marriages and divorces.
The chief minister explained that the repeal is intended to create uniformity in the registration process for marriages and divorces. To achieve this, the Assam Repealing Bill, 2024, will be presented during the monsoon session of the assembly for consideration.
“The state cabinet has also directed that a suitable legislation be brought in for the registration of Muslim marriages in Assam, to be considered by the next session of assembly,” the CM added on X.
The #Assam cabinet announced on Thursday its decision to repeal the Assam #Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act of 1935. pic.twitter.com/Sv8VEfjwpA
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Previously, Assam had 94 authorized individuals who could register Muslim marriages and divorces. However, their authority ended with the cabinet's decision in February.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Assam believes that the old Act was outdated and did not align with modern societal norms. It was also reportedly being used to register marriages involving minors. The government sees the repeal of this Act as a crucial step towards eliminating child marriages in the state.
