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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Namita Singh

Indian state makes polygamy a criminal offence – but activists say it is a tool for discrimination

A state legislature in India has passed a new law criminalising polygamy that critics say is designed to target the Muslim minority.

The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025 makes entering a second marriage while the first legally exists a cognisable criminal offence, meaning police can arrest the man without a warrant. An offender can be jailed for up to 10 years and barred from taking state jobs and contesting elections.

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