New Delhi: The Assam Government has abolished the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act 1935. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed about this decision. Assam government took this decision in the cabinet meeting.
what is the assam muslim marriages act and divorces registration act of 1935:
The Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act of 1935 allowed Muslim people to register marriages and divorces voluntarily. The act also laid out the responsibilities and scope of registrars.
In February 2024, the Assam Cabinet repealed the act to prevent child marriages. The act also discharged the 94 Muslim registrars who were functioning under it, and compensated them with a one-time payment of Rs 2 lakh for each person.
Speaking to the press, Assam Government Minister Jayant Mala Barua said that this decision is an important step in implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state.
Himanta Biswa Sarma has also said many times that the state of Assam is working towards implementing Uniform Civil Code.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote in a post on social media platform, “This act contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21, as required by law. This move marks another significant step towards prohibiting child marriages in Assam.”
On 23.22024, the Assam cabinet made a significant decision to repeal the age-old Assam Muslim Marriages & Divorces Registration Act. This act contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21, as required…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 23, 2024
According to the 2011 census, 34% of the population in Assam is Muslim.
Jayant Mala Barua while talking to the media said, “Now marriage or divorce of Muslims will not be registered through this law. There is a Special Marriage Act in the state, now marriages will be registered under it.”