Assam Government Intensifies Action Against Polygamy
Government's New Measures Against Polygamy
File image of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. (Photo:@himantabiswa/X)
Guwahati, July 10: The Assam administration has escalated its efforts to combat polygamy, declaring that those engaged in the practice will be ineligible for government welfare programs. Additionally, government employees found to be practicing polygamy will face termination from their positions.
This initiative was introduced during the presentation of the 2026-27 State Budget by Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah in the Assembly, and was further emphasized by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in a subsequent press briefing.
Sarma stated, "Individuals who engage in polygamy and are government employees will be dismissed. Furthermore, those with criminal backgrounds will also be barred from accessing government welfare schemes."
He highlighted the government's dedication to not only enhancing welfare but also to discouraging practices that infringe upon women's rights.
"Participants in polygamy will not qualify for benefits such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, free rice, or the Orunodoi scheme," he added.
During his Budget address, Mallabaruah mentioned plans to revise the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, to classify polygamy as grounds for dismissal from government employment.
"In alignment with our Government's steadfast commitment to women's empowerment, gender justice, and responsible family values, we propose to amend the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, to ensure that any government employee found practicing polygamy will face dismissal in accordance with the law," the Finance Minister stated.
The Budget also includes provisions that any individual convicted of a criminal offense will be disqualified from government welfare schemes, alongside the introduction of a unified digital beneficiary system for welfare distribution utilizing Aadhaar-based verification.
These recent measures are part of the Assam government's ongoing initiative against polygamy.
In November 2025, the Assam Legislative Assembly enacted the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, establishing a legal ban on the practice.
However, the legislation faced significant opposition protests, with critics labeling it as unconstitutional and discriminatory. The discussions included intense debates over constitutional rights, religious freedoms, and accusations that the law unfairly targeted specific communities before it was approved by the ruling party.