In a major reform, Assam Government is set to bring a new law requiring to register Muslim marriages and divorces across the state. The bill will be introduced in the upcoming Assam assembly session starting on August 22. The decision was made under CM Himanta Biswa’s chairmanship during a state cabinet meeting, which was held in Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati.

In the press meet, CM Himanta Biswa announced the approval of Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages Divorces Bill, 2024. The Bill targeted towards the Muslim community is meant to officially record all the marriages and divorces, which will further be regulated by the state authority. Assam CM said that the new bill will restrict Kazi’s from conducting the registration of Muslim marriages and give a free hand to the government to conduct it. He further added that the marriage registration will not be done below 18 years and will be headed by Sub Registrar of Assam Government.

Stressing on the aim of the bill, CM Himanta Biswa said that the bill will fight against child marriages.

Mazibur Rahman Reacts To The Bill

On the Assam Government passing the bill, AIUDF MLA Mazibur Rahman accused Himanta Biswa Sarma of playing the card of communalism. He said that he wants the provision of child marriage in the bill to be rectified, whereas Himanta Biswa wants to repeal it.  He further said that “We have no problem with registering our marriages and divorce but we will follow the rules of Muslim law also”

Congress leader Wazed Ali Choudhury is also against the the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024. He said that the magistrate will never be able to take over the job of a Qazi and that they will oppose the bill. He said “Repealing this act will be against ‘Shariat’.”