Assam To Repeal Muslim Marriage Act In Big Push For Uniform Civil Code

Less than three weeks after Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to pass legislation on a Uniform Civil Code, Assam has taken its first step towards a similar law and decided to repeal the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act. 

Making the announcement on Friday, Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the decision has been taken by the cabinet. Sources said a bill is likely to be tabled in the Assam Assembly, which is scheduled to be in session till February 28.

Pointing out that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said several times, including after the passage of the Uttarakhand bill on February 7, that Assam is planning to bring in legislation on a Uniform Civil Code, Mr Baruah said, "A very important decision has been taken in line with that. The Assam Muslim Marriage & Divorce Registration Act, 1935, will be repealed and no Muslim marriage or divorce will be registered under the Act. We want all such matters to be under the Special Marriage Act."

Stating that the decision will also help in reducing child marriages, the minister said 94 Muslim registrars, who were registering marriages under the Act, will be given a one-time compensation of Rs 2 lakh. 

A Uniform Civil Code refers to a common set of laws that are applicable to all Indian citizens and are not based on religion in dealing with marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, among other personal matters.

On February 12, Chief Minister Sarma had said, "The Assam cabinet has discussed both the anti-polygamy and UCC bills. We were working on the anti-polygamy bill while Uttarakhand passed the UCC. An expert committee is working on aligning the two aspects so we can bring a more robust legislation." 

"Now the country needs a uniform policy. We have to align our bills, so we will have a round of discussion with our central leaders as well. These are long-time reforms," he had added.