Assam Introduces Uniform Civil Code Bill Banning Polygamy

Assam has introduced a Uniform Civil Code Bill. The legislation aims to ban polygamy and standardize marriage and succession laws. It also makes registering live-in relationships mandatory. This move seeks to provide legal protection for partners and children from such unions. The bill excludes scheduled tribes. Opposition parties have raised objections, calling for broader consultations.

Guwahati: The Assam government, on Monday introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill seeking to prohibit polygamy, regulate succession and marriage laws, and make the registration of live-in relationships compulsory.

The legislation was introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

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According to the statement of objects and reasons, the legislation aims to "consolidate and simplify laws governing marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships". The Bill fixes the minimum age for marriage at 21 for men and 18 for women, while also prohibiting polygamy.

The bill stated, "For the first time, the Bill provides a legal framework for live-in relationships. By requiring registration, the law ensures that the rights of partners, and any children born from such unions, are formally recognised and protected."

The proposed legislation also states that it will not apply to scheduled tribes residing in Assam. The move, however, faced stiff resistance in the assembly, with Opposition parties, including the Congress, Raijor Dal and All India Trinamool Congress objecting to the introduction of the legislation and seeking wider consultations with stakeholders before it is taken up for consideration.