Guwahati: In preparation for the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Assam government has decided to annul the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act of 1935. The State Cabinet approved the Assam Repealing Ordinance, 2024, to revoke the British-era Act specifically applicable to Muslim marriages and divorces. Tourism Minister and government spokesperson Jayanta Malla Baruah stated that this decision aligns with the Chief Minister's commitment to the UCC. The repealed Act will no longer be used for registering Muslim marriages and divorces, with the intent to shift registrations to the Special Marriage Act. Baruah highlighted concerns about the Act's misuse for underage marriages and deemed it outdated, asserting that its repeal would be a significant step against child marriage.
The Cabinet also decided to authorize district commissioners and registrars to take custody of registration records from Muslim marriage registrars, with a one-time compensation of ₹2 lakh provided to each registrar for rehabilitation. Additionally, the Chief Minister announced measures to protect the land rights of indigenous communities, including the inclusion of Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Gurkha communities in the list of protected classes in the Balipara Tribal Belt. Opposition parties criticized the government, alleging the targeting of Muslims through what they deemed an unconstitutional repeal of the Act.
