BJP-led Assam government on Friday approved repealing Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorces Registration Act, 1935. Assam Chief Minister called it as a significant step towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.
What is the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act?
The law gives authority to Muslim registrars to register voluntary declarations of marriages and divorces. Reportedly, the repeal of the Act will allow the Assam government’s district commissioners and district registrars to take custody of registration records.
Currently, the registration is held by 94 Muslim Marriage registrars. As per the Act, the registration of marriage and divorce is not mandatory and the way of registration is informal, leaving scope for “non-compliance of norms”. Muslim Marriage Registrars will be given Rs 2 lakh compensation for their rehabilitation. Baruah said Muslim marriage will be registered under the Special Marriage Act.
Motivation for Repeal of the Act
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that this step will help the government to prevent child marriage. Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah confirmed that the motivation behind this step is to implement UCC in the state and added that the present act is ‘a colonial act’. 
CM Sarma has been leading campaigns against child marriage in the state but has been criticized for the campaign only targeting Muslim families, showing a communal undertone of the leader’s campaign.
After Uttarakhand, Will Assam pass UCC Bill?
This step by Assam is being followed after the BJP-led Uttarakhand government recently passed a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the assembly.
Ahead of the elections, the Assam government is also drafting UCC and is making a political promise for electoral benefit.
CM Sarma was also campaigning to ban polygamy in the state, which only targets Muslims of Assam as the bill excludes tribal communities like Uttarakhand UCC bill. The BJP government in Gujarat is also planning to pass a UCC bill in the state.
Backlash from Congress, AIUCF, and others
Congress MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal calling Himanta Biswas Sarma government “absolutely anti-Muslim,” said, “They were trying to show the Hindu people that they are favoring them and depriving the Muslims.”
All India United Democratic Front (AIUCF) leader Rafiqul Islam stated, “I think they cannot bring UCC in Assam because there are people of many castes and communities here. Elections are nearing and this is just their strategy to target Muslims.”
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed UCC violates the fundamental rights of the Muslims promised in the Constitution, because of the bill’s selective nature.
