Guwahati: The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, making polygamy a punishable offence with jail terms of up to 10 years.
The legislation exempts members of Scheduled Tribes and areas governed under the Sixth Schedule.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who piloted the bill, said the law applies “irrespective of religion” and is aimed at empowering women.
“This is not against any particular faith. Hindus are not free from polygamy either. The bill covers everyone—Hindu, Muslim, Christian and others,” he told the House.
Despite Sarma’s request for a unanimous passage, AIUDF and CPI(M) pressed for amendments. A proposal by CPI(M) MLA Manoranjan Talukdar to send the bill to a Select Committee was also defeated by voice vote.
Sarma reiterated that his government will bring a Uniform Civil Code in Assam if he returns as chief minister after the 2026 Assembly polls.
“If I am back as CM, a UCC bill will be tabled in the first session of the new government,” he said, adding that the ban on polygamy is a step towards that goal.
He also announced that a bill targeting “deceptive marriages” would be introduced by the end of February, referring to what he described as earlier commitments on “love jihad”.
Under the bill, polygamy is defined as marrying another person when an existing marriage is still valid.
ALSO READ: Indian Army backs community-led adventure tourism in North Sikkim
Offences may attract up to seven years in prison and fines, while concealing an existing marriage before entering a new one can lead to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Repeat offenders will face enhanced penalties.
Those who facilitate or knowingly solemnise a polygamous marriage—including village heads, qazis or guardians—may face up to two years in jail and fines up to Rs. 1.5 lakh.
Individuals convicted under the proposed law will be barred from government jobs, state-funded welfare schemes and contesting elections for panchayats or urban local bodies.
The bill also provides for compensation to women affected by polygamous marriages.
