‘Repealing Assam Muslim Marriage Act isn't anti-Muslim,’ Assam MLA slams Waris Pathan, urges ‘mature’ response from lead

Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika on Saturday responded to AIMIM leader Waris Pathan's ‘Anti-Muslim’ remark on the state cabinet decision to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act.

Piyush Hazarika further asked, “How does repealing an 89-year-old law that permits the marriage between a small girl and an adult male become anti-Muslim?"

Earlier, Waris Pathan alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is ‘anti-Muslim’ and that they want to polarise votes before the Lok Sabha polls.

As reported by ANI, AIMIM leader and Spokesperson said, “BJP govt is anti-muslim, the law that is brought by Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam, this is a violation of article 25, 26 and 28 of the constitution, it is the fundamental right, everyone has the right to practice their religion. The BJP govt hates Muslims...they hate our eating habits. first, they brought a law on Triple Talaq and now a law against Muslim marriage...what is the need for a different law in Assam? As the elections are coming, they are trying to polarise."

In response to Pathan's statement, Hazarika, in a post on X, said that Muslim leaders need to act maturely. “How does repealing an 89-year-old law that permits the marriage between a small girl and an adult male become anti-Muslim? Muslim leaders need to act maturely and stand alongside the interests of our daughters rather than standing for abhorrent social evils," he said.

Earlier, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) leader Rafiqul Islam on Saturday criticised the decision, calling it a "tactic to target Muslims."

Rafiqul, while speaking to ANI, claimed that the Assam government, led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, does not have the "courage" to bring the Uniform Civil Code, hence repealing