'Even If Religion Allows...': Assam CM Himanta Says Govt Staffers Will Need State Nod For Second Marriage

Earlier, the Assam government had issued an order warning government officials of punitive action if they marry a second time while their spouses are still around.

New Delhi: Close on the heels of the government’s order barring state employees from marrying a second time while their spouses were alive, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said they will have to seek prior nod for a second marriage even if their religions provide for polygamy, news agency PTI reported. “This is an old circular. An Assam government employee, from the point of view of our service rules, is not entitled to enter into a second marriage,” the Assam CM said.

“However, if some religion allows you to enter into a second marriage, even then on the basis of the conduct rules, you have to seek permission from the state government. Now, the state government might give you (permission), may not give you,” PTI quoted Sarma as telling reporters in Guwahati on Friday.

Earlier, the Sarma-led regime had issued an order warning government officials of punitive action if they marry a second time while their spouses are still around.

Citing disputes over pension after the death of an employee, CM Sarma said, “Many widows are deprived of their pensions because of conflicting claims. This rule was there earlier, we did not enforce it. Now, we have decided to enforce it.”

Defending the order barring government employees from marrying a second time, CM Sarma said the rule was not framed by the BJP-led government but was brought by the previous Congress government.

The Personnel department, on October 20, instructed employees to take the government's permission before marrying another person if the spouse is alive. However, the order did nor specify if it would be binding on divorced employees as well. The order was issued by additional chief secretary Niraj Verma, PTI reported. It stated that guidelines, under Rule 26 of The Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1965, have been issued in this regard.

Responding to the Assam CM’s statement, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi told news agency ANI that the motive behind any such order, if implemented, should be to bring social reform and not to polarise people.

“He is the chief minister of Assam, why is he not bringing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in his state? (BJP-ruled) Uttarakhand has taken some steps in this direction. I fear that this statement may be a ploy to polarise people and opinions. But whatever is done, the effort should be to bring social reform and not target a particular community politically,” she said.