Assam to ban polygamy with 7-year jail term

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said polygamy in the state would attract a minimum punishment of seven years in prison, irrespective of the offender’s religion, reported The Times of India. He announced that the BJP-led government will introduce a bill in the assembly on November 25 to prohibit the practice, even if permitted under religious laws.

“The BJP government won’t allow polygamy. We will protect the dignity of women in this state at any cost,” Sarma said while addressing young women at the launch of a scheme providing monthly financial assistance to girls pursuing higher education.

“If a person marries another woman without legally divorcing his wife, there will be a provision for imprisonment of seven years or more. Religious justification won’t do,” he added.

The chief minister has recently spoken about the government’s plans to introduce new legislation targeting practices he described as linked to “love jihad”. The state began a crackdown on child marriage in 2023, during which hundreds were arrested.

With inputs from ToI