Assam Introduces Compulsory Marriage and Divorce Registration Bill for Muslims

The Assam government plans to introduce a bill making government registration of marriages and divorces among Muslims compulsory, starting August 22. The bill aims to counter child marriage and will designate heritage areas as protected zones. The bill also mandates security clearance for new universities.

The Assam government is set to introduce a critical bill in the upcoming state assembly session, commencing August 22. This legislation mandates government registration of marriages and divorces among the Muslim community in the state. The decision was made during a state cabinet meeting at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Addressing the media at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the cabinet has approved the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024. 'Previously, Muslim marriages and divorces were registered by Kazis. This new bill ensures government conduct of these registrations. Marriages below 18 years will not be registered. The Sub Registrar of the Assam government will be the registration authority,' Sarma explained.

Sarma emphasized that the bill aims to combat child marriage and will be introduced in the state assembly from August 22. He further added that a 5-km radius around heritage structures at least 250 years old, like Mandirs or Namghars, will be declared as protected areas. Land transactions in these zones will be restricted to families residing there for over three generations. In Majuli, this protection covers the entire district.

Additionally, Sarma revealed plans for a new law requiring security clearance for opening universities in the state. 'Some institutions from Kerala are keen to set up universities in Assam's Muslim-majority areas. Congress previously allowed this easily, but no security checks were conducted. The new act will make security clearance mandatory for opening nursing, medical, and dental colleges,' he stated. Sarma highlighted that suspicious backgrounds of some institutions prompted this move, asserting the necessity of the new provision.

(With inputs from agencies.)