<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guwahati, November 12, 2025:<\/strong> Under the provisions of the proposed legislation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bill includes specific exemptions to uphold the cultural and constitutional rights of tribal groups in Assam:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Assam government has described the move as part of its broader effort to promote women\u2019s dignity, equality, and justice. The Chief Minister emphasized that the Bill aims to end exploitation arising from unregulated polygamous relationships and ensure uniform legal protection for women under state law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this year, an expert committee led by senior legal scholars was constituted to examine whether the Assam Legislative Assembly has the competence to legislate on personal law matters, especially those touching upon marriage and divorce. The committee\u2019s findings confirmed that the state could enact such a law under Entry 5 of the Concurrent List of the Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The proposal has drawn mixed reactions<\/strong> from political parties and civil society:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women\u2019s rights activists across Assam praised the Bill as a \u201csignificant legal milestone\u201d, drawing parallels with the state\u2019s earlier efforts to eradicate child marriage and triple talaq practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bill will be introduced in the Assam Assembly on November 25, 2025, followed by debate and voting. Once passed, it will require the Governor\u2019s assent before coming into effect as law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legal experts suggest that the law, once enacted, may also invite judicial scrutiny, particularly regarding religious freedom and personal law jurisdiction, but the government has expressed confidence that the Bill stands on firm constitutional ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Summary: Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Guwahati, November 12, 2025:In a major policy move aimed at promoting gender equality and social reform, the Assam Cabinet on Tuesday approved the \u201cAssam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025\u201d, which seeks to ban the practice of polygamy across the state. The proposed law, described as a \u201chistoric step toward protecting women\u2019s rights,\u201d will be introduced…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7003,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-assam"],"yoast_head":"\n
In a major policy move aimed at promoting gender equality and social reform, the Assam Cabinet on Tuesday approved the \u201cAssam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025\u201d, which seeks to ban the practice of polygamy across the state. The proposed law, described as a \u201chistoric step toward protecting women\u2019s rights,\u201d will be introduced in the Assam Legislative Assembly during the upcoming winter session on November 25, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nKey Provisions of the Bill<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Any person entering into a marriage while having a living spouse will be committing an offence under the new law. Such marriages will be deemed invalid and punishable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The violation will be treated as a cognizable offence, empowering the police to arrest the accused without a warrant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Individuals found guilty of contracting multiple marriages simultaneously will face rigorous imprisonment of up to seven years along with possible fines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that a special state fund would be created to support women affected by polygamy, providing financial assistance and legal aid. \u201cNo woman should suffer emotionally or financially due to a husband\u2019s unlawful actions,\u201d Sarma said during a press briefing in Guwahati.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nExemptions and Constitutional Safeguards<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Members of Scheduled Tribe communities will be exempted from the provisions of the law. The government clarified that the exemption respects customary tribal laws and traditions, which are protected under Article 371B and other constitutional safeguards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The Bill will not apply to autonomous tribal regions governed by the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. These include the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao districts \u2014 regions that enjoy legislative autonomy in matters of personal law and culture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nObjective and Legal Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPolitical and Social Reactions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nNext Steps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025 represents a decisive move by the state to abolish polygamy, strengthen women\u2019s rights, and ensure uniform civil protection \u2014 while maintaining respect for tribal autonomy and constitutional safeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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