Assam govt to repeal Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act

The Assam government on Thursday repealed the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act and Rules of 1935, a colonial-era law. This decision, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, marks a significant step towards ensuring justice and adding safeguards against child marriage. Chief Minister Sarma shared the decision on X, stating, “a significant step to ensure justice” as it would put “additional safeguard against child marriage”. The controversial law included Section 8, which required that if either or both the bride and groom were minors, their lawful guardians would have to make the application for marriage registration.