Assam CM’s attempt to ban polygamy: Govt employees barred from second marriage

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed the state government’s most recent decree on Friday, calling for the outlawing of polygamy among public servants and stating that second weddings “even if some religions allow” would not be permitted without the state’s approval. According to Himanta Biswa Sarma, the directives follow the current regulations, which were previously ignored but are now being implemented by the state administration. This action is considered consistent with the government of Assam’s efforts to outlaw polygamy.

The Assam government reminded employees last week in an order that they cannot marry again without permission from the government, even if bigamy is legal in their own state. This rule has been a part of the handbook for federal and state employees for many years.

The ruling was issued on October 20th, and it comes after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared in August that his administration was ready to pass legislation outlawing polygamy in the state.

This serves as a reminder that, in accordance with Rule 26 of The Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1965, (1) No Government servant who is married to a current wife may remarry without first getting approval from the government, even if that marriage is permitted by personal law for the duration that it applies to him. (2) Without first receiving approval from the government, a female employee of the government is not permitted to wed someone who already has a wife, according to an order signed by Niraj Verma, the additional chief secretary for Assam.

According to Verma’s directive, personnel who disobeyed this rule would face substantial penalties, including mandatory retirement, under the state’s conduct standards. “against those government employees discovered to have broken Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1965 Rule 26—which is in and of itself a flagrant transgression of a government employee having a significant impact on society.”

The directive stated, “Whenever such cases are detected, the Disciplinary Authorilics shall take necessary steps for inflicting legal penal action by the court of law, in accordance with provisions of law, in addition to initiating Departmental Proceedings.”

Yes, since the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules were initially notified in 1964, there has been a comparable clause in the rulebook. These guidelines served as the model for the behavior guidelines that state governments announced.

Over 3,900 persons have been detained as a result of the Assam police’s campaign against underage marriage in the region. More than 1,000 persons have been detained so far in new waves of arrests that began on October 3rd under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). “Assam Police has detained over 800 suspected individuals in a special operation that started in the wee hours of the morning as part of a sweeping campaign against child marriage. The chief minister stated in a post on X that there would probably be more arrests.

Congress has called the state’s approach to addressing the problem of child weddings incorrect, which has intensified political pressure on the subject. “We oppose the way the government is operating.

Taking action against those who were married five to ten years ago and had children would not benefit us in the slightest. Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed stated, “The drive should be against people who recently got married,” according to The Hindu.

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