Opposition MLA Akhil Gogoi said the bill infringes constitutional freedoms relating to religious practice
GUWAHATI — The Assam assembly on Thursday passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, making polygamy an offence which may lead to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, barring some exceptions.
Under the provisions of the bill, any person found guilty of unlawfully entering into a second marriage while the first marriage is still legally valid may face imprisonment for up to seven years. The bill states that a person who conceals an existing marriage and proceeds to marry again could face up to 10 years in jail along with a fine.
A village head, qazi, parent or legal guardian who dishonestly conceals facts or participates in the conduct of a polygamous marriage may face up to two years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs one lakh, reports ANI.
However, the legislation excludes Scheduled Tribes and areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants autonomy to tribal regions in the northeastern states.
During the passage of the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the portfolio of the home and political departments, said the law is “irrespective of religion and not against Islam as being perceived by a section”.
“The Hindus are not free from polygamy. That’s also our responsibility. This bill will cover people from Hindu, Muslim, Christian and all other societies,” he added.
Despite the CM’s request to all opposition members to withdraw their respective amendments to send a message from the House that the bill is passed unanimously to empower women, AIUDF and CPI(M) went ahead with their modification suggestions, which were defeated by voice vote.
Talking about the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Sarma said this will be implemented in Assam if he becomes the CM again after the Assam assembly polls next year.
“If I am voted to power in Assam again, then we will bring the Uniform Civil Code in the state during the first assembly session,” Sarma said while tabling the bill. He asserted that the anti-polygamy bill will be the “first step towards UCC” in Assam.
He said that the ban on polygamy is a direction towards the implementation of the UCC.
Opposition MLA Akhil Gogoi said the bill infringes constitutional freedoms relating to religious practice, while the All India United Democratic Front’s Aminul Islam said the law violates multiple constitutional provisions. — With inputs from agencies
