Aizawl, Feb 25: The Mizoram Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Mizo Marriage and Inheritance of Property (Amendment) Act, introducing major reforms to the state’s customary laws on marriage, divorce, and property inheritance.

The legislation, introduced by Chief Minister Lalduhoma in his capacity as Minister for Law and Judicial Affairs, formally bans polygamy and bigamy, requiring individuals to present a divorce certificate before entering a subsequent marriage. Lalduhoma said the amendment aligns Mizoram’s law with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which criminalises such practices.

The new law also enhances women’s property rights. While previously divorced or separated women could claim only the dowry they brought into the marriage after “Sum Chhuah” (returning the bride’s price), they will now be entitled to up to 50 percent of jointly acquired property and assets. Lalduhoma said this change addresses long-standing concerns about women’s financial security.

The amendment further stipulates that Mizo women who marry non-Mizos will forfeit their Mizo identity and their children will not be eligible for Scheduled Tribe status, thereby placing them outside the jurisdiction of this law. Additionally, “leprosy” has been removed as a ground for divorce, with Lalduhoma noting that it is a misfortune rather than a fault and should not be used as a reason for separation.

The amended law will apply across Mizoram, except in the three Autonomous District Councils in the southern part of the state, which follow their own distinct customary laws. Lalduhoma described the reforms as transformative, balancing tradition with modern legal standards while ensuring greater protection for women.