Assam child marriages crackdown | Ratio of arrests of Muslims to Hindus is 55:45, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

The Chief Minister of Assam said that the State government is discussing bringing a new law in the State against Child Marriage and that the State government's drive against Child Marriage will continue.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 15 said that an equivalent number of Muslims and Hindus were arrested during the State government's ongoing operation against child marriage in the State.

He said that the ratio of arrests of Muslims to Hindus since the February 3 crackdown is 55:45. "I have got some of our people picked up too because you (Opposition members) all will feel bad. The ratio of arrests of Muslims to Hindus since the February 3 crackdown is 55:45," Mr. Sarma said during his reply to a discussion on Vote Of Thanks on the Governor's speech in the State Assembly.

"The NFHS 5 (National Family Health Survey) data shows that the problem is highest in Dhubri and South Salmara (Muslim-majority districts). Not Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. But because you communalise every single thing, I told the Dibrugarh SP to pick up a few from there as well," he added.

He further said, "In Biswanath, I said pick up a few from there... NFHS 4 data collated during the Congress times also shows that the highest number of underage marriages and childbirths is done in Lower Assam districts (where there is a greater Muslim population).

The Chief Minister said that the Assam government is discussing bringing a new law in the State against Child Marriage and that the State government's drive against Child Marriage will continue. "Our stand is clear that Child Marriage must be stopped in Assam. We are discussing bringing a new Act against Child Marriage. By 2026, we are trying to bring a new Act against Child Marriage where we are discussing increasing the term of jail from two years to 10 years. Child Marriage must be stopped. We are crying for the criminals, but not for the victim minor girls. In the State, an 11-year-old minor girl has become a mother, it's not acceptable. I have seen in Assam that some MLAs are talking in favour of accused persons."

The Chief Minister said, "The democracy roller will be continued against the offenders who married a child. Rule of law will be continued against Child Marriage. The Population Control Act was passed during the Congress regime and our government is now trying to increase the marriage age from 18 years to 21 years. This house has the responsibility to talk against Child Marriage."

"The offenders will be arrested every six months. Child Marriage has to be stopped in Assam. There will be two options — either get away me from here or stop the Child Marriage, there is no third option," the Chief Minister added.