Guwahati, 27 November (HS): The Assam Assembly on Thursday cleared the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, while Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma used the legislative platform to deliver a decisive message on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

The Chief Minister announced that the UCC would be brought to the Assembly in the first session of the next government, provided he is returned to office in the upcoming 2026 polls. He said the polygamy ban marks “a clear stride towards the UCC”, reaffirming his long-held stance on ensuring uniformity in personal laws for all communities.

The newly passed legislation, which prescribes imprisonment of up to 10 years for practising polygamy, carves out exemptions for Scheduled Tribes and regions under the Sixth Schedule. Stressing that the bill targets no particular faith, Sarma said it applies equally to “Hindus, Muslims, Christians and every other society”, noting that instances of polygamy cut across communities.

Although Sarma appealed for consensus, both AIUDF and CPI(M) sought amendments; each proposal was rejected through a voice vote. The Chief Minister also revealed that the government is preparing to bring a separate bill on “deceptive marriage” by the end of February, describing it as a response to concerns popularly described as “love-jihad.”--------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash