Assam’s Muslim Organization Supports Repeal of Marriage Act to Check Child Marriage

Guwahati: Muslim Rashtriya Manch, a Muslim organization in Assam extended support for the state government’s decision to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, a move aimed at combating the menace of child marriage in the region.

The Assam unit of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The organization praised the decision saying it would protect Muslim boys and girls from the harmful practice of child marriage.

Alkas Hussain, the convenor of the Manch’s Assam unit, praised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his commitment to ending marriages involving girls as young as 5-6 years old by 2026.

Hussain slammed some Muslim MLAs opposing the move for what he deemed as neglect towards Muslim children.

The decision to repeal the Act, which allowed marriage registration of minors, has faced opposition from the All India United Democratic Front, citing conflicts with the Kazis Act of 1880.

Hussain also supports the Assam government’s stance on the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in the state.