“Mission against child marriage enabling healthy life for girls”: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 19 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that his state government’s mission to curb child marriages has not only brought societal change but is also ensuring a healthy life for girl children.

Biswa stated that while cases of teenage pregnancy were recorded at 9330 in the state in April 2022, they have been brought down to 3401 in June 2024.

“Our rigorous mission against #ChildMarriage is not only bringing a societal change but also enabling a healthy life for our girls. Teenage pregnancy in April 2022: 9,330 Teenage pregnancy in June 2024: 3,401 Our mission will continue unabated in the coming days,” the Chief Minister said in a post on ‘X’.

Earlier on Thursday, the Assam government decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act of 1935 to prevent child marriage and ensure parity in marriage and divorce registration.

Taking to social media platform X, the Chief Minister wrote, “We have taken a significant step to ensure justice for our daughters and sisters by putting additional safeguards against child marriage. In the meeting of the #AssamCabinet today we have decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules 1935 vide the Assam Repealing Bill 2024.”

Stating the objective behind the decision to repeal, CM stated, “To bring parity to the registration of marriage and divorce, the State Cabinet has accorded approval to the Assam Repealing Bill, 2024, which aims to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, and the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Rules, 1935. The bill will be placed before the next monsoon session of the Assam Legislative Assembly for consideration. The State Cabinet has also directed that a suitable legislation be brought for the registration of Muslim marriages in Assam, to be considered by the next session of the Assembly.”

Earlier on Wednesday, CM Sarma reiterated his concerns regarding the issue of “changing demography,” and said it is a matter of “life and death” for him.

Citing some data, Sarma said that the Muslim population was 12 per cent in 1951 and has now reached 40 per cent.

The Chief Minister alleged that ‘illegal immigrants’ are marrying tribal girls without following due process. He stated that illegal immigrants are marrying tribal daughters, but due diligence of law is not happening.