Assam Chief Minister HimantaBiswaSarma announced that his government will introduce a series of controversial bills in the upcoming Assembly session. The proposed legislation includes measures on “love jihad,” polygamy, preservation of SatrasVaishnavite monasteries, and land reforms for Assam’s tea tribes.
Sarma described the bills as “historic” and “transformative” but did not provide detailed information pending cabinet approval. Reports indicate that the “love jihad” bill could include life imprisonment for those accused. The term refers to a conspiracy theory claiming Muslim men target Hindu women for conversion through marriage. Legal experts have widely criticized this theory as baseless and communal.
The polygamy legislation is part of a broader effort by the Sarma government to regulate personal laws, following a subcommittee study. Sarma has also highlighted protecting Satras from encroachment, a claim critics say is often used to justify evictions of Muslim communities who have lived in Assam for generations.
Opposition parties and civil rights groups argue that the bills could target minorities and restrict freedom of religion and marriage choice. The inclusion of land rights for tea tribes, a historically marginalised community, is seen as an attempt to balance political optics. Analysts note that these measures align Assam with other states that have enacted anti-conversion laws, reflecting a growing Hindutva influence in governance.