By Team Clarion
GUWAHATI – The BJP government in Assam, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is once again in the spotlight for introducing legislation that critics say is aimed squarely at the Muslim community. The government’s latest plan to criminalise polygamy and introduce a “love jihad” law has reignited debate about the state’s discriminatory governance and the systematic targeting of minorities.
Biswa Sarma announced that several “special laws” will be tabled in the state assembly soon, with the proposed polygamy bill being the most prominent. “Anyone who marries a second time without a legal divorce will face up to seven years in prison,” the chief minister declared at a recent press briefing.
The move comes on the heels of an offensive BJP advertisement that allegedly promoted hatred against Muslims, sparking condemnation across Assam. Observers say the new legislation is designed to polarise voters ahead of the next assembly elections.
Opposition parties and Muslim leaders have slammed the government plan, calling it a “politically motivated conspiracy” aimed at marginalising Muslims under the guise of reform. They argue that the law is not based on any genuine social concern but is only an attempt to further communalise politics in the state.
Ashraf Ali, a member of the Muslim community from Nagaon, said, “This law will not affect Assamese Muslims because polygamy is almost extinct among us. Muslims here live simple lives and are content with one marriage. The chief minister is only trying to target Muslims to gain political mileage.”
Ilyas Ahmed, president of Khudai Khidmatgar Assam Pran and a senior advocate of the Guwahati High Court, questioned the constitutionality of the proposed legislation. “Muslims in India are governed by the Muslim Personal Law. Yet, the chief minister continues to ignore constitutional protections and pushes laws that interfere with our religious freedom,” he said.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
