Polygamy to Become a Crime in Assam; Bill Proposes Up to 10 Years’ Jail

By Thetripurapost Desk, Gwahati
Nov 27, 2025
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The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, marking a major shift in the state’s personal law landscape and setting the stage for broader reforms, including a future Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The bill, which now awaits the Governor’s assent, criminalizes polygamy with stringent penalties and is being projected by the state government as a landmark step in protecting women’s rights and ensuring social justice.

A New Legal Framework and Punishments

Under the provisions of the new bill:

Polygamy becomes a punishable crime, carrying a prison term of up to seven years and a fine.
If a person marries again while concealing an existing marriage, the punishment may extend to 10 years.
The law includes compensation of up to ₹1.40 lakh for victims of such fraudulent or illegal marriages.
Repeat offenders will face double punishment.
Importantly, the bill excludes Sixth Schedule areas and Scheduled Tribes, citing the need to safeguard local customs and indigenous practices.

The government argues that the bill aims to protect women, who disproportionately suffer in cases of fraudulent or multiple marriages, and to strengthen the family system through legal safeguards.

Political Calculations and the UCC Promise

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while pitching the bill, framed it not only as a legal reform but also as a moral correction. He stated that Islam does not inherently encourage polygamy and cited Turkey and Pakistan as examples of Muslim-majority countries with restrictions or strict procedures on plural marriages.

Significantly, Sarma made a political declaration:

“If I return as Chief Minister, I will introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the very first session.”

This statement places the polygamy bill within a broader ideological project the government has been building— banning love jihad, curbing fraudulent marriages, and moving toward a unified set of civil laws.

Opposition Divided: Legal, Social, and Constitutional Concerns Raised

Despite the government’s confidence, the bill has triggered strong reactions within the Assembly:

Voices Supporting the Bill

Jayanta Malla Barua, minister, called the bill “essential for ensuring dignity and empowerment of women.”
Supporters argue that polygamy is not an essential religious practice and that restricting it aligns with modern constitutional values.

Voices Opposing or Criticizing

Debabrata Saikia (Congress) cited NFHS data showing polygamy is more prevalent among Christians and tribes, questioning the political narrative linking it to Muslims.
AIUDF’s Aminul Islam called it “an attack on Muslim personal law and personal choice.”
Akhil Gogoi, Independent MLA, described it as an attempt at communal polarization ahead of the 2026 elections.
CPI(M)’s Manoranjan Talukdar demanded the bill be sent to a select committee, warning against excessive police powers and selective exemptions.

The Social Angle: What Does Islam Actually Say?

While the Quran permits polygamy, it places strict conditions—primarily fairness and equal treatment among wives—conditions scholars argue are nearly impossible to fulfill. Polygamy in India is not confined to Muslims, with data showing its presence among tribal groups and certain Christian communities.

A Strategic Precursor to Uniform Civil Code?

With Uttarakhand already passing a UCC bill, Assam’s move signals a possible second state advancing toward uniform personal laws. Sarma has openly positioned the bill as the first step toward a grander civil reform agenda.

Political Implications

The bill strengthens the BJP's political narrative that merges women’s rights with legal uniformity and social reform.
Opposition parties fear it may become a tool of identity politics and electoral mobilization as the state moves toward elections next year.
The exclusion of tribal areas raises questions about uniformity versus customary autonomy, a debate likely to intensify if UCC is introduced.