North India Statesman
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News India Live, Digital Desk: For the last few days, one word has been echoing again and again in the politics and media of Assam. PolygamyThat means a husband being married to more than one wife at the same time, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has made it clear that his government is going to ban this practice completely,
It may sound like an issue related to any one religion or community, but if we go deeper into the government data (NFHS Data), the picture appears different. Let us understand in simple language what is going on.
What is the Assam government going to do?
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that a bill will be brought in the coming assembly session, which will declare polygamy illegal in Assam. The government argues that this is necessary to give women respect and equal rights. An expert committee was also formed for this, which has said that the state government has the right to make such a law. That is, now ‘second marriage’ in Assam is on the verge of becoming a legal crime.
Why are the North-East figures shocking?
We generally believe that the practice of polygamy is limited to certain religious communities. But National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) The figures challenge this thinking.
You will be surprised to know that the states which have the highest rate of polygamy in India are the states of North-East India.
- Meghalaya: The rate of polygamy here is 2.4%, which is the highest in the country.
- Mizoram: Here this figure was seen around 4.1% (in some particular districts).
- Apart from this, this trend is also present in many places in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Why is it like this there?
The reason for this is not just ‘religion’. Many in North East India Tribal Tribes Lives. These communities have their own age-old cultural and social traditions.
Farming: In hilly areas, more people are needed for farming, so historically there has been a trend to have more than one wife so that people can be found to help in the work.
social Security: In ancient times, this practice was also followed to provide support to women widowed due to war or tribal feuds.
But now times are changing. In modern society this practice is considered a violation of women’s rights.
Is it just a community thing?
no way. Statistics show that the practice of polygamy Christian, Muslim and Hindu Present in different forms and proportions in all three communities. Its cases are also seen in states like Odisha, Goa and Telangana. Therefore it would be wrong to look at it only through a religious lens; It is also a social and cultural issue.
