Historic Move: Emotional Breakthrough as Assam Unveils Groundbreaking Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Bill

Guwahati: New Assam Law Mandates Government Registration for Muslim Marriages and Divorces

The Assam cabinet has approved a significant new law requiring Muslim couples to register their marriages and divorces with the government. This legislation, named the Muslim Marriage Registration Bill 2024, aims to eliminate the role of ‘kazis’—religious officials who were previously authorized by a British-era law passed in 1935. Under the new law, district commissioners and registrars will take over the custodianship of marriage records from the 94 qazis currently holding these responsibilities in the state.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the approval on social media platform X, stating, "The registration of Muslim marriages will now be conducted by the government, not by the Qazi. Additionally, the registration of child marriage shall be deemed illegal."

This move aligns with other recent cabinet decisions in Assam, including imposing restrictions on land sales for SC/ST communities and expanding the heritage belt. The number of Orunodoi scheme beneficiaries is also set to increase to 37 lakh.

In a related international development, China has proposed a revised law to simplify marriage registration while making divorce procedures stricter. This includes a 30-day cooling-off period for divorces, with the objective of fostering a ‘family-friendly society’ in light of declining marriage rates. The proposal has sparked controversy and criticism from netizens concerned about the increased difficulty of obtaining a divorce.

These legislative actions reflect broader societal efforts to regulate marital practices and address social issues related to marriage and divorce within different cultural contexts.

Original Story https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/assam-to-table-muslim-marriage-divorce-registration-bill/articleshow/112695299.cms
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