Assam government repeals Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act

In an of Assam Cabinet on Thursday, July 18, the Assam government has decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules 1935 vide the Assam Repealing Bill 2024. The Assam government will table a Bill to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act of 1935 in the Assembly’s forthcoming Monsoon Session, cementing a decision taken earlier this year to scrap the law.

The Assam Chief Minister (CM) stated that the step has been taken to ensure justice for our daughters and sisters by putting additional safeguards against child marriage. Speaking to the media, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act allowed Child Marriage and as such we have scrapped this act.”

The 1935 Act lays down the process for registration of marriages and divorces in the state in line with Muslim personal law. In February, the Cabinet decided to repeal it and approved the Assam Repealing Ordinance, 2024.

With Thursday’s announcement, the state government has suggested it will introduce a new legislation to govern Muslim marriages and divorces. “Now, we will make a bill that will make Muslim Marriage registration under the government within the legal age,” added the Assam CM.

“We have taken a significant step to ensure justice for our daughters and sisters by putting additional safeguards against child marriage. In the meeting of the #AssamCabinet today we have decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules 1935 vide the Assam Repealing Bill 2024,” Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X.