The Assam government is looking to introduce a Bill in the state assembly in December banning polygamy. This announcement was made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a meeting with BJP ally parties in Tinsukia on Saturday, where he addressed the media. To assess the state government’s power to legally ban polygamy, an expert committee was formed and submitted a report to the Assam Chief Minister on August 6.
This report came with positive feedback, as 146 out of the 149 suggestions received in response to the public notice were in favor of the Bill. The next step is to draft the Bill, which the government plans to do in the next 45 days, and then present it in the assembly in December. In addition to this, CM Sharma also said the Bill will include measures to prevent Love Jihad in the state. Furthermore, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the state government is looking into the issue of withdrawing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
He is set to discuss this with the Union government this month and expects to have a concrete decision by the end of the month. AFSPA, which was enacted by Parliament in 1958, grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. According to the Disturbed Areas Act, 1976, once declared “disturbed”, the area must maintain this status for at least three months.
