The Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, marking a major step toward banning the practice of polygamy in the state. The bill, which seeks to prohibit and eliminate polygamous marriages, will now be forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu for final approval.
Following the bill’s passage, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reaffirmed his commitment to implementing deeper legal reforms. He stated that if his government returns to power in the 2026 assembly elections, it will table the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Assam. “I give you my commitment that I will bring the UCC to Assam,” he said.
Defending the legislation, Sarma added that the bill is not against any religion. He said that Islam does not endorse polygamy and cited countries like Turkey and Pakistan where legal measures have restricted the practice.
The bill defines polygamy as marrying another person while a previous marriage is still legally valid. It prescribes up to seven years of imprisonment for first-time offenders. However, the law will not apply to Sixth Schedule areas or Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
The government said the bill aims to promote gender equality and protect women’s rights in Assam.
