Assam Government says no to second marriage for state employees, even if religion permits

Government employees cannot marry for a second time, even if religion permits bigamy or polygamy, said the Assam government in a circular issued last week. The employees shall not be permitted to remarry without the government’s permission and if their spouse is alive. "Even if a religion allows you to have a second marriage, then also you have to seek state government's permission," said Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sharma.

"No Government servant who has a wife living shall contract another marriage without first obtaining the permission of the Government, notwithstanding that such subsequent marriage is permissible under the personal law for the time being applicable to him," reads the statement issued by the Assam Government. The notice issued by the authorities came into force with immediate effect.

The CM has stated that the Assam Government has come across cases where following an employee’s death, a feud has often ensued over the husband’s pension between both wives. These instructions were rolled out by the authorities in a memo on October 20. Similarly, no woman employee can opt to marry for the second time without the permission of the government and if her first husband is alive.

"We want to ban polygamy immediately. We are planning to introduce the Bill in the next Assembly session in September, and if we are unable to do it for some reason, we will do it in the January session," said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma. In August, the Chief Minister solicited public feedback on a proposed law to outlaw polygamy in the state.​