Assam approves bill barring clerics from registering Muslim marriages

NEW DELHI: The Assam Cabinet has approved a new bill barring qazis or clerics from registering marriages of Muslims. The Assam Compulsory Registration of Marriage And Divorce Bill also prohibits the registration of child marriages.

The bill, which nullifies certain provisions of Muslim personal law, will be tabled during the Monsoon session of the Assam Assembly on Friday (today). It is being seen as Assam’s first step towards bringing a uniform civil code. As per the new legislation, a sub-registrar will register Muslim marriages. “We have introduced a bill stipulating that no marriage involving individuals under 18 years of age will be registered. Furthermore, the authority for registration will be transferred from the qazi to the sub-registrar,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said at a press conference.

“Under the new law, this practice will be prohibited. No Muslim minor girl can register their marriage in the state from now on,” he said. Qazis or clerics oversee the procedures for Muslim marriage and divorce.