The Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday approved a bill that bans polygamy. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said this move will make the practice a punishable offence with jail terms of up to seven years, along with a clear provision for compensation to the woman victim.

The Chief Minister said that the 'Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025' is meant to be the first major step towards new laws in the state, and he linked it to the Uniform Civil Code bill that the Uttarakhand assembly passed.

He also said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party returns to power in the state election next year, the UCC bill will be fully passed in the first session of the assembly.

Under this Bill, any person who enters a second marriage while the first one is still valid can be jailed for up to seven years, and anyone who hides an existing marriage and still marries again may face ten years in jail along with a fine.

The law will not apply to Scheduled Tribes and to areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which gives autonomy to tribal regions in the northeast.

The bill describes polygamy as marrying or being married to another person while already having a valid marriage or a living spouse from whom one is not legally divorced, or a marriage that has not been legally annulled or declared void.

It also aims to support women who suffer emotional and social hardships because of polygamous marriages, and offers them compensation for the harm they face.

The bill further states that anyone who repeats the offence will face double the punishment for each additional violation.

A village head, qazi, parent or legal guardian who hides facts knowingly or takes part in the conduct of a polygamous marriage may be jailed for up to two years and may also face a fine of up to Rs one lakh.

Anyone who knowingly conducts a marriage that goes against the proposed law may face up to two years in jail or a fine of up to Rs 1.50 lakh.

"If I am voted to power in Assam again, then we will bring the Uniform Civil Code in the state during the first assembly session," Sarma said while presenting the bill on the polygamy ban.

He also said that the anti-polygamy act will be the "first step towards UCC" in Assam.

Sarma has said many times earlier that his government will bring the UCC through the "front door" if the BJP returns to power in the state polls next year.

After the UCC Bill was passed in Uttarakhand in February last year, Sarma had said, "The UCC is in Uttarakhand now. The UCC deals with four points – preventing underage marriage, banning polygamy, inheritance laws and registration of live-in relationships. The UCC does not deal with traditional rituals or practices."

While presenting the bill in the assembly, Sarma repeated that women's rights in the state "will not be compromised".

He wrote on X that the government is moving forward with firm resolve to ensure justice, dignity, and legal safeguards for women.

He added that the Bill reflects Assam's strong commitment to the principles of 'Nari Shakti' and to improving the position of women in society.