New law mandates Muslims to register marriages, divorces in Assam

The Assam cabinet on Aug 21 approved a new law mandating Muslims to register marriages and divorces with the government. The Assam Compulsory Registration of Marriage And Divorce Bill also aims at preventing the menace of child marriages.

The new law has eliminated the role of “qazis” and Muslim clerics, who were till now overseeing the procedures of Muslim marriage and divorces.

"Now the registration of Muslim marriages will be done by the government and not by the Qazi. The registration of child marriage shall be deemed illegal." Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X, while referring to the new law.

“Assam Cabinet has approved the Muslim Marriage Registration Bill 2024 and as per the new law only a sub-registrar can complete the registration process of Muslim marriages,” Sarma added.

The Chief Minister clarified that the new law does not alter the traditional Islamic marriage system but only changes the registration process.

“Different communities have diverse cultures for marriage rituals. Our law has no role in that. It has provisioned the marriage registration only by a government officer. The rest will remain the same whether it is for a Hindu marriage or for a Muslim marriage,” Sarma said.

The new law will also make the registration of child marriages illegal once it is enacted. District magistrates and registrars will be responsible for keeping the registration records, which are currently held by qazis authorized under the Muslim Personnel law.

Sarma said that earlier the marriage between Muslim boys and girls below 21 and 18 years of age respectively could be registered.
“But under the new law, this practice will be prohibited. No Muslim minor girl or boy can register their marriage in the state from now on,” he said.