US EditionAssam Prohibits Polygamy: State Assembly Passes Bill to Ban Polygamous Marriages; Exempts 6th Scheduled Areas
The bill criminalizes polygamy with penalties up to seven years in prison and exempts tribal communities in Sixth Schedule areas, aiming to protect women and promote uniform civil laws.
- On Thursday, the Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tabled it on Tuesday, and it will be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for assent.
- The government says the bill fits its UCC agenda and aims to prohibit polygamy, strengthen legal protections for women in Assam, and provide compensation to victim women.
- Penalties in the bill include up to seven years imprisonment for a first offence, 10 years and a fine for concealed subsequent marriages, and two years or a Rs 1.50 lakh fine for solemnisers, with doubled penalties for repeat offenders.
- The bill exempts Sixth Schedule areas including Bodoland Territorial Region, Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong, plus members of Scheduled Tribes; AIUDF and CPI amendments were defeated by voice vote.
- Using international examples, Sarma cited Turkey and Pakistan, saying `This bill is not against Islam. The true Islamic people will welcome this Act.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Indian Express
Assam Assembly passes anti-polygamy bill; CM Himanta Sarma says ‘not against Islam’
Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025: The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025 was tabled on the first day of the winter session of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
Assam passes bill to ban polygamy
The Assam government on Thursday passed a bill in the Assembly to ban polygamy.The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, had been introduced on Tuesday. It proposes up to seven years of imprisonment for persons convicted of polygamy, the practice of having more than one wife. Further, those found guilty of having concealed their previous marriage can face punishment of up to ten years’ imprisonment.It also states that if parents, priests or …
Assam Assembly passes bill to ban polygamy: All you need to know about it
After the passage of the bill, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government, if it returns to power after the assembly elections slated to be held in 2026, will table the uniform civil code (UCC).
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