Guwahati: If I return to power in the 2026 assembly election, my first job will be to bring UCC in Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma dares the opposition in the state assembly on November 27. Replying to the opposition on the Polygamy Prohibition Bill 2025, CM Sarma said, “stop me if you can, otherwise in the first assembly session in 2026 I will bring uniform civil code (UCC) in Assam.” CM Sarma mentioned that the supreme court has also said that the time has come to adopt uniform civil code. I promise you that if I return as CM of Assam next year, I will place UCC in the assembly first.
He said we have eradicated child marriage in the state, now polygamy will be ended by the new act. Next time we will increase the minimum age for marriage of girls from 18 to 21 years.
The CM further added, “In Assam, the Muslim community determines the winners of approximately 20-30 assembly seats. However, for decades, Muslim women in Assam were unable to become legislators. We want to promote the empowerment of our women by preventing polygamy and child marriage.” He said in the assembly that the next act he will bring is to make it compulsory to register every marriage in the state with no instant divorce provision. “Equal rights in divorce proceedings, in case of cruelty, desertion, adultery, impotence both husband- wife will undergo medical examination” CM Sarma added. He further mentioned that there will be a complete ban on temporary marriage like ‘Mota, Halala’ etc.
It should be mentioned that the Assam assembly on November 27 passed the Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025 which aims to make second marriage without legally separating with the first wife punishable offence in the state. The anti-polygamy bill prescribes punishment upto 10 years of imprisonment along with heavy fine violating the provisions of the new bill. Repeated offenders will face double punishment. If family members of the offender hides information of polygamy, the bill prescribes punishment up to one year jail and fine. The priest, Kazi who solemnised the second marriage will face a jail term up to 2 years as per the new law. The bill will be placed before the President of India for her ascent.
