AIUDF to move court if Assam govt repeals Muslim Marriages Act
Aug 29, 2024
Guwahati (Assam) [India], August 29 : If Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma tries to forcibly repeal Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, the AIUDF will approach the court, said party MLA Dr Rafiqul Islam on Thursday.
In a move to prevent child marriage and eliminate the 'Qazi' system in Muslim marriage registration, the Assam Government introduced a new bill, the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024, last week and the discussions on the same were held in the state assembly on Thursday.
The AIUDF MLA said that amendments had been proposed to the bill, where they suggested that the word 'repeal' be repealed from the bill. He said, "Assam govt has brought a bill to repeal Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935. We have given an amendment to this new bill. We have demanded to repeal the word 'repeal'."
He further asked why the government should be deciding on how Muslim women should be married when there already is a law for the same "We have said that why the state government should decide on how Muslim women should be married when there is an existing law. Our CM's agenda is just to target one community. The CM cannot attack the rights given to every community under personal laws. If the CM tries to forcefully pass this bill, then we will approach the court...", the MLA added.
Earlier today, the Assam State Assembly passed the 'Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024'. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa praised the passing of the bill, calling it a 'historic day', "Today is a historic day in our effort to fight the social evil of child marriage.", said the CM in a post on X.
"This Act will now make it mandatory to register marriages with the Govt and cannot contravene the legal age of marriage of 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys. It will also act as a strict deterrent against teenage pregnancy and improve the overall growth of our girls. I thank all the legislators who pledged their support to this Bill and Govt's vision of preventing child marriage. This Bill is above party politics and is a means to give our girls a life of dignity. Next target Banning Polygamy!", added the CM in the post.
