Assam bans polygamy

The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed a Bill to ban polygamy. The Bill makes it an offence leading to a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment, barring some exceptions. The Bill has kept people belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and areas under the Sixth Schedule out of the purview of the legislation.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in Assam if he becomes the CM again after the Assembly polls next year. Assembly elections in Assam arescheduled April-May in 2026, along with West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

During the passage of the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, the Chief Minister who also holds the portfolio of the home and political departments, said the law is “irrespective of religion and not against Islam as being perceived by a section. The Hindus are not free from polygamy. That’s also our responsibility. This bill will cover people from Hindu, Muslim, Christian and all other societies.”

Despite the CM’s request to Opposition members to withdraw their respective amendments to send a message from the House that the bill is passed unanimously to empower women, AIUDF and CPI(M) went ahead with their modification suggestions, which were defeated by voice vote. CPI(M) MLA Manoranjan Talukdar demanded that the bill be sent to Select Committee of the Assembly for a detailed discussion on the clauses.