Guwahati, Dec. 16: A bill to ban polygamy will be placed in the next session of the Assam assembly to be held in February 2024, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.
The bill has been devised after months of consultations with various individuals and organisations, he added.
Talking to reporters, Sarma said, “The bill to ban polygamy will be placed on the floor of the Assam assembly which will commence from February 4.”
The chief minister had earlier said that some points would be incorporated in the bill to stop ‘Love Jihad’ in the state.
Officials said the state government had received as many as 149 suggestions in response to a public notice seeking opinion on the proposed law to ban the practice of marrying multiple times.
Out of these, 146 suggestions were in favour of the bill, indicating strong public support, they said. Three organizations have expressed their opposition to the bill.
The state government had issued a notice on August 21, inviting public opinion on banning polygamy by August 30, 2023 through email or by post.
Besides, an expert committee was also formed by the state government to examine the legislative competence of the state legislature to enact such a law in Assam.
The committee submitted its report to Mr. Sarma after consultations with people and organisations, affirming that the state legislature is competent to enact such a law.
