"As Long As I Am Alive, Will Not Let Child Marriage Happen In Assam": CM Sarma On AIUDF's Opposition To Cabinet Decision

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted in the State Assembly on Monday (26 February) that he will not let child marriages take place in Assam until he is alive.

Badruddin Ajmal-led All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) brought an adjournment motion against the cabinet's decision to repeal Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act 1935.

Responding to it, Sarma said, "Hear me carefully, as long as I am alive I will not let child marriage take place in Assam... I would like to challenge you politically, I will shut down this shop before 2026."

This comes after the Assam cabinet decided on Friday night to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act and Sarma called it a significant step towards "prohibiting child marriages".

BJP leader Sarma had highlighted that this act contained provisions allowing marriage registration even if the bride and groom had not reached the legal ages of 18 and 21, as required by law.

However, AIUDF leader Ashraful Hussain said that they wanted to convey the pain of Muslims in Assembly by bringing adjournment motion and alleged that the Speaker did not allow them to speak.

"By repealing this law, they (BJP) are trying to demolish Muslim personal law as he believes in 'Manuvaad'... This is against the constitution the way Himanta Biswa Sarma is working against Muslims," Hussain added.