Assam Forms Committee to Draft Legislation Banning Polygamy and Addressing Related Issues

Assam Forms Committee to Draft Legislation Banning Polygamy and Addressing Related Issues. Image/Ndtv

Committee Tasked with Drafting Polygamy Ban

Assam has taken a significant step towards addressing issues related to polygamy and inter-religious marriages under false identities. On Wednesday, the state constituted a five-member committee, with Advocate General of Assam, Devajit Lon Saikia, appointed as the Chairman. The primary objective of the committee is to draft appropriate legislation to ban polygamy and address related matters such as tackling inter-religious marriages through false identities and the role of a Kaji in child marriages.

Enormous Task Ahead

Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia acknowledged the complexity of the task at hand, stating, “The proposed legislation on polygamy has to be framed by the Assam government. So, a committee has been constituted today with myself as the Chairman and a few other members. We have been given 45 days to complete the exercise. So, it is a huge daunting task.” The committee is expected to carefully consider various perspectives and representations from different individuals and groups during its deliberations.

Committee Composition

Apart from the Chairman, the committee comprises other key members, including Assam Director General of Police GP Singh, Senior Additional Advocate General Nalin Kohli, Legal Remembrancer and Judicial Department Secretary Ramen Baruah, and Home and Political Department Secretary Biswajit Pegu, who also serves as the member secretary. The Political (A) department of the Assam government issued a notification formally constituting the committee.

Draft Legislation and Public Input

The committee has a crucial mandate to draft the proposed legislation and submit it to the government within 45 days from the notification date. It will consider suggestions received and may also review three petitions opposing the legislation. If deemed necessary, the committee may personally engage with individuals who do not support the legislation to understand their viewpoints. Additionally, the committee may seek the Chairman of the Law Commission’s input on this matter.

Ban on Polygamy Expected

The Assam government is reportedly planning to introduce a bill in the state assembly in December to officially ban polygamy. Polygamy refers to the practice of marrying more than one person or having multiple spouses simultaneously.

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