Time for Manipur to consider a Polygamy Prohibition Law

The Assam Legislative Assembly’s recent passage of the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, should serve as a wake-up call for Manipur. By criminalising polygamy with punishments of up to ten years’ imprisonment, Assam has made it clear that exploitation of women under the pretext of tradition or religion will no longer be tolerated. Manipur, with its deeply entrenched patriarchal structures and pockets of unregulated personal laws, cannot continue to turn a blind eye. The state must act decisively, and the time to do so is now.
Polygamy is not merely a personal choice—it is a tool of oppression. Women trapped in multiple marriages are frequently denied legal recognition, economic security, inheritance rights, and social dignity. Many endure domestic neglect, emotional abuse, and social stigma with little recourse to justice. In Manipur, where societal hierarchies remain rigid and rural areas are poorly monitored, these vulnerabilities are magnified. While Assam has legislated against these injustices, Manipur continues to lag, leaving countless women exposed to exploitation and marginalisation.
The Assam Bill demonstrates that gender justice can be balanced with religious sensitivity. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s insistence that the law does not contradict Islam, along with references to countries like Türkiye, shows that protecting women and respecting faith are not mutually exclusive. Manipur legislators must take note. There is no excuse for delaying a law that safeguards half the population under the pretext of cultural sensitivity or political caution. Gender justice is not a matter for debate—it is an imperative that demands immediate action.
The consequences of inaction are evident in Manipur. Disputes arising from multiple marriages, inheritance conflicts, and the welfare of children frequently fracture families and destabilise communities. Without a clear legal framework criminalising polygamy, women remain at the mercy of exploitative practices, while society normalises inequality. Silence and delay are not neutrality—they are complicity. Manipur’s lawmakers must recognise that failing to act perpetuates injustice.
Arguments that such a law might offend cultural or religious norms are outdated and untenable. Assam’s example shows that legislation can be carefully drafted to target unlawful acts while protecting legitimate religious practices. Manipur can and must follow suit. The objective is not to police personal lives, but to protect women, provide clarity for families, and hold offenders accountable. Any delay in this regard prioritises tradition over justice, and in a constitutional democracy, that is unacceptable.
Equally important is enforcement. Assam’s Bill holds not only perpetrators accountable but also village heads, guardians, and religious authorities who facilitate or conceal polygamous unions. In Manipur, where the Legislative Assembly is currently under suspended animation, civil society organisations (CSOs) and women’s rights activists must step into the breach. They have a responsibility to document violations, advocate for the law, raise public awareness, and maintain pressure on authorities to ensure accountability. Legislative inertia cannot become an excuse for continued exploitation.
The time for discussion and hesitation has passed. Women in Manipur deserve protection, legal recognition, and the dignity enshrined in the Constitution. A polygamy prohibition law is not an optional reform; it is a necessity. Every day of delay leaves women vulnerable, families unprotected, and societal inequality reinforced. Citizens, activists, and CSOs must mobilise immediately—through advocacy, public campaigns, and pressure on the administration—to ensure that this legislation is drafted, debated, and enacted without further postponement.
Polygamy cannot remain an unchallenged social ill. For the sake of women, families, and the moral integrity of Manipur, it is time for collective responsibility. While lawmakers may be dormant, the people cannot afford to be. Mobilisation, vigilance, and sustained advocacy are the tools to compel action. Manipur must act now—not tomorrow, not next year—to protect its women, secure social justice, and ensure that the rights of its citizens are not left at the mercy of outdated traditions.
The Assam law is proof that reform is possible. Manipur cannot afford to wait any longer. It is time for citizens, CSOs, and women’s rights activists to step forward, demand accountability, and push for the enactment of a polygamy prohibition law. Justice delayed is justice denied, and Manipur’s women have already waited too long.