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Assam Cabinet gives nod to repeal Muslim Marriages & Divorces Registration Act

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
File Photo: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

February 24, 2024

The Assam Cabinet has given the nod to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 in a bid to end child marriage.

“On 23.22024, the Assam cabinet made a significant decision to repeal the age-old Assam Muslim Marriages & Divorces Registration Act. This act contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21, as required by law. This move marks another significant step towards prohibiting child marriages in Assam,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X.

The district commissioners and district registrars will be authorised to take “custody of registration records” currently with 94 Muslim Marriage Registrars on the repeal of the legislation under overall supervision and control of the Assam Inspector General of Registration.

One-time compensation of Rs 2 lakh will be provided to Muslim Marriage Registrars for their rehabilitation after the Act is repealed.

“Registration of marriages and divorces is not mandatory as per the Act and the machinery of registration is informal, leaving a lot of scope for non-compliance of extant norms. As per provisions of the Act, there remains scope for registering marriages of intended persons below 21 years (for males) and 18 years (for females) and there is hardly any monitoring for implementation of the Act,” state government said.
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