Assam To Repeal Muslim Marriages And Divorce Registration Act, Declares CM Himanta Sarma

The Assam government has decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules of 1935. This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, as announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Taking to social media platform X, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, "We have taken a significant step to ensure justice for our daughters and sisters by putting additional safeguards against child marriage. In the meeting of the Assam Cabinet today we have decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules 1935 vide the Assam Repealing Bill 2024."

Repeal of 1935 Act

The state government aims to bring uniformity in marriage and divorce registration through this move. The Cabinet has approved The Assam Repealing Bill, 2024, which seeks to annul the outdated 1935 Act and its associated rules.

This new Bill will be presented during the upcoming Monsoon session of the Assam Legislative Assembly for further consideration.

Ensuring Justice

The Chief Minister highlighted that this step is crucial for safeguarding young girls from child marriages. By repealing these old laws, the government intends to provide better protection and justice for women in the state.

The decision reflects a broader effort to modernise legal frameworks related to marriage and divorce in Assam, ensuring they are more inclusive and just.

Next Steps

The proposed Bill will undergo scrutiny in the next legislative session. If passed, it will replace the existing laws from 1935 with updated regulations that align with contemporary societal needs.

This initiative is part of a larger agenda by the Assam government to reform outdated laws and introduce measures that promote gender equality and protect vulnerable groups.

By addressing these issues at a legislative level, Assam aims to set a precedent for other states in India to follow suit in updating their own legal systems.