Less than three weeks after Uttarakhand made history by passing legislation on a Uniform Civil Code, Assam has followed suit by deciding to repeal the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act. Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah made the announcement on Friday, stating that the cabinet has taken this decision. Reports suggest that a bill will soon be presented in the Assam Assembly, which is in session until February 28.
Highlighting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s repeated statements about introducing a Uniform Civil Code in Assam, Mr. Baruah emphasized, “In line with this vision, a significant decision has been made. The Assam Muslim Marriage & Divorce Registration Act, 1935, will be abolished, and all Muslim marriages and divorces will now be registered under the Special Marriage Act.”
The minister emphasized that implementing a Uniform Civil Code would not only contribute to the reduction of child marriages but also ensure that all Indian citizens are governed by the same set of laws, irrespective of their religious beliefs. As part of this initiative, 94 Muslim registrars, who were previously registering marriages under a specific Act, will receive a one-time compensation of ₹ 2 lakh.
In a similar vein, Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the importance of a uniform policy for the country. He mentioned that the Assam cabinet had already discussed both the anti-polygamy and UCC bills, with efforts underway to align these aspects and create a more comprehensive legislation. Recognizing the significance of these reforms, he expressed the intention to engage in discussions with central leaders to further advance this agenda.