Assam Plans Anti-Polygamy Law In Winter Session Of Assembly

The Assam government had in May convened a four-member expert committee to examine the state legislature's authority to enact a law against polygamy.

An anti-polygamy law will be presented in the winter session of the Assam state assembly, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday, adding the caveat that the proposed legislation may not be required if a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is enacted at the national level.

Pre-empting the political debate that the move could spark, Mr Sarma targeted his political opponents, asking, "If Congress leaders have daughters, will they give her in marriage to someone who already has two wives?"

The Assam government, led by Mr Sarma, had in May convened a four-member expert committee to examine the state legislature's authority to enact a law against polygamy. Headed by Justice (Retired) Rumi Phookan, the committee was given two months to submit its findings.