Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced that the state government will introduce the ‘Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025’ commonly referred to as the ‘Anti-Polygamy Bill’ in the Assam Legislative Assembly on November 25.
The bill seeks to prohibit polygamy in the state, except in the Sixth Schedule areas. Under the proposed law, any individual entering into more than one marriage while a spouse is living may face up to seven years of rigorous imprisonment.
Speaking to reporters at Swahid Smarak Khetra, Sarma said, “On November 25, we will bring the ‘Anti-Polygamy Bill’ before the Assam Assembly. If someone goes through more than one marriage, they will be sentenced to seven years of jail.”
The legislation also includes provisions for compensation to women affected by polygamous marriages. “To save society from the scourge of such practices, this Bill has been framed with the objective to streamline the social structure,” the Chief Minister added during a press conference at Guwahati’s Lok Sewa Bhawan.
Sarma also mentioned that the state government is in the process of drafting a bill related to so-called “love jihad.” The Assam Cabinet had approved the draft of the Anti-Polygamy Bill on November 9, clearing the way for its presentation in the upcoming Assembly session.
