'Remarry' before Lok Sabha polls, UCC coming soon: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to Badruddin Ajmal
Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a swipe at AIUDF supremo and Dhubri MP Badruddin Ajmal, subtly addressing his recent comments regarding the possibility of remarriage amidst ongoing discussions on the uniform civil code (UCC).
Sarma's response came after Ajmal's retort to Congress's Dhubri candidate Rakibul Hussain, who referred to Ajmal as an «old tiger.» In response, Ajmal, who is in his 70s, quipped, «I am not so old. I can marry again.»
Capitalizing on the moment, Sarma indirectly referenced Ajmal's statement, highlighting the AIUDF leader's opposition to UCC. The Chief Minister announced over the weekend that Assam aims to implement UCC shortly after the current Lok Sabha elections, potentially including measures against polygamy, which could pose legal challenges for Ajmal if he proceeds with additional marriages.
Addressing a separate event, Sarma reiterated the imminent enforcement of UCC in Assam, stating, «UCC will come into force in Assam soon after the elections...Till now, marrying again is not illegal in Assam. We will also attend his wedding if invited. So far as I know, he has one wife, but he can have a second or third wife now. Once UCC comes, polygamy will be outlawed in Assam. All the preparations are done.»
In February of this year, the state Cabinet approved the repeal of the British-era Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, with the aim of addressing issues like child marriage and facilitating the implementation of UCC. Ajmal opposed the repeal, describing it as a
