Goa, Nov. 28 -- The Assam Assembly on Thursday cleared the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, making the practice a criminal offence punishable with up to ten years in prison. The legislation, however, excludes members of Scheduled Tribe communities and areas governed under the Sixth Schedule.

Introducing the bill, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stressed that the move targets no particular religion. "This law is for everyone. It is not against Islam as some claim. Hindus are also not free from polygamy-that is our responsibility too," he said, adding that the legislation covers people from Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other communities alike.

Sarma urged the opposition to withdraw their proposed amendments to allow the bill t...