India’s Assam state annuls Muslim marriage act established during British era

Assam state in northeastern India has decided to abolish the 1935 Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act in alleged efforts to “combat underage marriages and bolster the fight against child marriage,” Anadolu Agency reported.

Assam’s Chief Minister claimed that the act allowed for marriage of individuals below 21 years for men and 18 years for women without formal registration.

However, opposition parties have criticized the decision, claiming it discriminates against Muslims and polarizes Hindu voters.

The repeal comes after the northern state of Uttarakhand passed a Uniform Civil Code, a comprehensive set of laws that govern personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance irrespective of individual religious beliefs.