Indian state scraps colonial-era law governing Muslim marriage.
The Indian state of Assam, under the governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has repealed a longstanding colonial-era law about underage marriages within the Muslim community.
This decision, coming just months before the nation’s general elections, has stirred controversy and opposition from leaders representing the minority Muslim community.
The Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act of 1935, an 89-year-old legislation, has been promptly nullified by the Assam government, citing the need for alignment with broader efforts to establish uniform civil laws governing various aspects of personal law.
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This move, which took effect immediately, marks a significant departure from the previous legal framework and reflects the BJP’s commitment to its agenda of reforming social and legal norms.
With Assam boasting one of the largest Muslim populations in India, constituting 34% of the state’s demographics, the repeal of the outdated law has implications that extend beyond legal technicalities.
It represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over religious freedoms and the role of the state in regulating personal matters.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the importance of the repeal, framing it as a crucial step towards combating the pervasive issue of child marriages in Assam.
He noted that the repealed law had loopholes that allowed for marriage registration even when the bride and groom were below the legal ages of consent, underscoring the urgency of its abolition.
As Indian state scraps colonial-era law governing Muslim marriage, the move has faced fierce opposition from leaders within the Muslim community, who view it as a deliberate attempt to sow religious discord and polarize voters ahead of the upcoming elections.
Badruddin Ajmal, a prominent lawmaker from Assam and leader of the All India United Democratic Front, condemned the repeal, accusing the BJP of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain.
The BJP, which often portrays itself as a champion of ethnic communities and a proponent of social reform, finds itself at odds with Muslim leaders who perceive the repeal as discriminatory and divisive.
“This act contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21… This move marks another significant step towards prohibiting child marriages in Assam,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X on Saturday.
“Champion of ethnic communities” is what the BJP calls itself but the Muslim leaders see the latest move as discriminatory.
“They want to polarise their voters by provoking Muslims, which Muslims will not let happen,” Badruddin Ajmal, a lawmaker from Assam who heads the All India United Democratic Front that mainly fights for Muslim causes, told reporters on Saturday.
