Assam To Explore Legality Of Polygamy Ban With Newly Formed Expert Panel

The Assam government has formed a team of four experts to assess if the state legislature can pass a law ('examine the legislative competence to enact a law') to prohibit polygamy, announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Sarma tweeted that the panel led by Justice (Retired) Rumi Phookan must submit its report within two months.

The expert committee includes Assam advocate general Debajit Saikia, additional advocate general Nalin Kohli, and senior advocate Nekibur Zaman.

The Chief Minister had announced on Tuesday (9 May) the government's plan to appoint an expert committee of legal experts to review the legality of banning polygamy in the state.

Furthermore, the panel would investigate provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, and Article 25 of the Constitution, in regards to the Directive Principles of State Policy for a Uniform Civil Code, according to Sarma.

Citizens of India have the freedom of conscience and religion under Article 25.

A Uniform Civil Code is a "much wider aspect... for which a national consensus will be required" and will be dealt with by the central government.

In Assam, "we are announcing our intention to ban polygamy in the state as one component of the UCC," Sarma said in a 9 May press conference marking the completion of two years of his government.