Guwahati: After much speculation and debate, the BJP-led government tabled a bill in Assam assembly to abolish legislation requiring Muslims to register their marriages and divorces. Government claimed that the measure may have been interpreted to permit the marriage of Muslim minors. In order to repeal the 89-year-old Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act of 1935, Assam Repealing Ordinance 2024 was introduced in the assembly. Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management Jogen Mohan introduced The Assam Repealing Bill, 2024 in the Assembly. In the Statement of Object and Reasons of the Repealing Bill, he stated, “There remains a scope of registering weddings of intending persons below 21 years of age (for men) and 18 years (for women). It garnered a great deal of legal cases and had very few procedures for overseeing the Act’s execution across the entire state.
Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that it is no compulsory to register Muslim marriages and divorces in the sub register office after the repeal of the old act. Speaking at a news conference following a cabinet meeting, CM Sarma stated that the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2024 will be tabled for discussion in the house.
“In the past, Kazis recorded Muslim marriages. But this new bill will make sure that every marriage in the community is officially recorded with the government,” he continued. CM Sarma further stated that before the proposed bill, minor marriages were also registered by the Kazis; however, this will no longer be permitted. “Minor marriage registration won’t take place going forward. Child marriage is a threat that we wish to eradicate. Thus, he continued, quoting cabinet decisions, “the marriages will be registered at the Sub-Registrar’s Office.”
CM Sarma stated that the only thing that has been regulated is the Kazis’ registration; there will be no restrictions on the Muslim customs observed during marriage ceremonies.
Moreover the Assam government will introduce a bill in the current session of assembly which will restrict the sale and buy of land in the 5 kilometre radius of religious heritage site Batadrava Satra (birthplace of Guru Shankardev), Barpeta Satra ( one of the prestigious and oldest Vaishnavite Satra) and Majuli river island. Only 3rd generation people will be able to buy and sell land in Majuli island after the enforcement of the new bill.
