Guwahati: The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Assam government is all set to introduce a new law which will require individuals to provide a six-month notice before entering into an inter-religious marriage. The new law is expected to be introduced by in April next year, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the Assam Assembly.
This legislative shift is intended to address what Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described as issues related to "elopement" and fraudulent practices within the institution of marriage. CM Sarma said that marriage is a respected institution and is losing respect in society due to instances of eloping, asserting that "instant marriages" shouldn't be allowed.
He said that as per the existing rules, one month's notice is necessary for any interreligious couple entering into marriage as per the Special Marriage Act of 1954. Sarma said that the state government intends to extend this period to six months to maintain the sanctity of institution of marriage. This comes amid the state government's push for amendments in personal laws.
The Assam government on Tuesday introduced a bill in the assembly to make registration of Muslim marriages and divorces mandatory in the state, amid objections raised by the opposition benches on the validity of the proposed law.
The Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024 was introduced in the House by Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan. The bill aims to replace the Muslim Marriages and Divorces Act of 1935 which allowed child marriages and has no provision against polygamy. Earlier, the Assam government repealed the law through an ordinance.
The bill's "statement of object and reason" stated that it has been proposed for the prevention of child marriages and marriages without the consent of both parties.
It will help check polygamy, enable married women to claim their right to live in matrimonial house, maintenance, as well as allow widows to claim inheritance rights and other benefits, the note said.