Assam bringing law where men must declare religion, job and income before marriage

Assam is drafting a new legislation, which it says will empower women and ensure transparency in marriage. The new law will state that men must mandatorily declare their religion, job and income to their partners before marrying.

Clarifying that the law is not the same as anti-'Love Jihad' laws drafted by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "Our idea is not the so-called 'Love Jihad'. My idea is that you shouldn't hide your identity, job or income. Assam is going to do something which won't be against any religion. It'll have transparency in marriage. We've started drafting legislation."

Clarifying that the law is not the same as anti-'Love Jihad' laws drafted by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "Our idea is not the so-called 'Love Jihad'. My idea is that you shouldn't hide your identity, job or income. Assam is going to do something which won't be against any religion. It'll have transparency in marriage. We've started drafting legislation."

Justifying the need for a new legislation, Sarma told media persons, "One shouldn't get married if there's no transparency between husband and wife. Disclosures on my religion, what I do for a living and what my income is all important. We are not saying that you should disclose just your religion. We are saying that you should also disclose your income and job."

Justifying the need for a new legislation, Sarma told media persons, "One shouldn't get married if there's no transparency between husband and wife. Disclosures on my religion, what I do for a living and what my income is all important. We are not saying that you should disclose just your religion. We are saying that you should also disclose your income and job."

Laying out the roadmap for the proposed legisaltion, Sarma further said, "It will be mandatory for all marriages. There will be a disclosure pro forma given to a wife who will give it to her husband. It won't be only about religion but everything that a wife needs to know."

Laying out the roadmap for the proposed legisaltion, Sarma further said, "It will be mandatory for all marriages. There will be a disclosure pro forma given to a wife who will give it to her husband. It won't be only about religion but everything that a wife needs to know."