Taking its first step towards Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Assam Cabinet on Friday gave its nod to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 in a bid to end child marriage. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
“This Act contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21 respectively, as required by law. This move marks another significant step towards prohibiting child marriages in Assam,” CM Sarma posted on X past midnight.
Addressing the media, Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said that the Assam governent was doing away with the “colonial act”, adding that it was a “a very important step in the journey towards a Uniform Civil Code” in the state, reports The Indian Express.
Saying that the act was “not in line with today’s society”, Baruah said, “The Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act of 1935, under which 94 Muslim registrars were currently facilitating the registration and divorce of Muslim marriages in the state, has been repealed. In today’s Cabinet meeting, this Act was revoked, meaning that from today onwards, Muslim marriages and divorces cannot be registered under this Act. Instead, we have the Special Marriage Act, and we encourage all marriages to be registered under this Act.”
After the repeal of the legislation, district commissioners and district registrars will be authorized to take custody of registration records currently held by 94 Muslim Marriage Registrars, under the overall supervision and control of the Assam Inspector General of Registration, CM Sarma said.
A one-time compensation of Rs two lakh will be provided to Muslim Marriage Registrars for their rehabilitation following the repeal of the Act.
The decision to repeal the Act was made during a late-night cabinet meeting on Friday, as it is an outdated pre-independence Act of the British for the then province of Assam, the CM added.
The district commissioners and district registrars will be authorised to take “custody of registration records” currently with 94 Muslim Marriage Registrars on repeal of the legislation under overall supervision and control of the Assam Inspector General of Registration.
A one-time compensation of Rs two lakh will be provided to Muslim Marriage Registrars for their rehabilitation after the Act is repealed.
The decision to repeal the Act was taken at a late-night cabinet meeting on Friday as it is an obsolete pre-independence Act of the British for the then province of Assam, the CM said.
The Chief Minister emphasized the government’s support for implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and expressed a desire to immediately outlaw polygamy in the state. While the UCC falls under the purview of Parliament, the state government can take action with the approval of the President. Notably, BJP-ruled Uttarakhand became the first State in independent India to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) recently.
Last year, the state government initiated two phases of crackdowns against child marriage. During the first phase in February, authorities arrested 3,483 individuals and registered 4,515 cases. The second phase in October saw 915 arrests and 710 cases filed.
(With PTI inputs)