'As Long As I Am Alive...': Assam CM Himanta Sarma Pledges To End Child Marriages By 2026. WATCH

Himanta Biswa Sarma vowed to eliminate child marriage in the state by 2026.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Source : PTI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday took a pledge stating that he will end child marriage in the state by 2026. While confronting political opponents during his assembly address, CM Sarma stated: "Hear me carefully, as long as I am alive I will not let child marriage take place in Assam. I will not let this happen as long as Himanta Biswa Sarma is alive...I would like to challenge you politically, I will shut down this shop before 2026."

कांग्रेस के लोग सुन लें, जब तक मैं, हिमंत बिस्वा सरमा ज़िंदा हूं, तब तक असम में छोटी बच्चियों का विवाह नहीं होने दूँगा। आप लोगों ने मुस्लिम समुदाय की बेटियों को बर्बाद करने की जो दुकान खोली है उन्हें पूरी तरह से बंद किए बिना हम चैन से नहीं बैठेंगे। pic.twitter.com/3yXLi4C23o

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 26, 2024

He further asserted that the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 will be abrogated. 

On Friday, the Assam Cabinet approved the repeal of the Act in an effort to put a stop to child marriage in the state.

Responding to criticism in the state Assembly, Sarma stated that the measure would be repealed since it is a step toward ending child marriage. 

Sarma stated on Sunday that once the Act is repealed, Muslim women in the state will be freed from "torture and exploitation".

"The torture, and exploitation that has been going on against Muslim mothers for so long will be ended with this bill. The Prime Minister ended triple talaq. But in Assam only because of this act, a Kazi would not have been faulted if he had registered the marriage of a below 18-year-old girl and he had gotten bail from the court. Now to give talaq will not be easy after the repeal of this act and there will no registration of marriage below 18 years old girl," CM Sarma had said.