Uniform civil code can end polygamy, safeguard Muslim women, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the proposed uniform civil code (UCC) must be implemented to curb polygamy in the greater interest of Muslim women.
"If the uniform civil code does not get implemented, the polygamy system will continue. A man will marry 3-4 times, curtailing the fundamental rights of a woman,” said CM Sarma.
“Uniform civil code should be implemented for the greater interest of our Muslim women," he added.
Sarma said the legislation is necessary to give justice to all Muslim women.
"All the Muslims I met, equivocally wanted the implementation of UCC. No Muslim woman wants her husband to bring home three other wives. UCC is not my issue, it is an issue for all Muslim women. If they are to be given justice, after the scrapping of triple talaq, UCC will have to be brought," Sarma told reporters.
Further, in Assam, the BJP-led government has initiated measures to differentiate 'indigenous Muslims' from that of the migrant Muslims, many of whom are suspected to be illegal Bangladeshis.
A sub-committee constituted by the state government in this regard has recently submitted its report. Sarma also said his cabinet and government needs to decide on the report. "Our government will take decision on who is indigenous and who has migrated. There is no debate in Assam because everyone in Assam knows who came to the state 50 to 70 years ago and who are staying here in since 200 to 400 years," Sarma asserted.
Though opposition has been calling it a divisive move to divide Muslims, representatives of the 'indigenous Muslims' are fearing that they will lose political significance fully without special recognition "While migrated Muslims from lower Assam have several MLAs, we are struggling to send even one. We are divided and scattered," said a leader of 'indigenous Muslims'.
Uttar Pradesh MoS (minority welfare and wakf affairs) Danish Ansari recently said the BJP government in the state will take steps towards implementing the UCC by holding discussions.