Amid Love Jihad, A new law proposed in Assam

In Assam, the state's minister proposed a law where couples have to register their income, religion and every other important aspect before marriage

Assam is drafting a law that would require the bride and groom to declare their religion and money in official documents a month before the wedding. Contrary to the situation in many other BJP-controlled states that introduce laws that would address "love jihad", the Assam government says its aim is to "empower our sisters".

State Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma said his government's policy was not exactly the same as in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh,"Assam's law does not conflict with 'jihad love'. we found out that the girl later finds out that her husband is in an illegal business, "said Mr Sharma. The proposed law would require a man and a woman to disclose their source of income, professionalism, permanent address and religion in the form prescribed by the government a month before the marriage, failing which legal action would be taken, the minister said."Our law will empower women. It will have certain legal aspects in the UP and Parliament," Mr Sharma said.

The "Love jihad" is a pejorative used by right wing groups to identify the relationship between Muslim men and Hindu women, who, they say, are part of a larger conspiracy to convert women by force. Many BJP-controlled states, including Haryana, Karnataka and even Bihar, have been talking about enacting legislation that would address "love jihad". UP Prime Minister Yogi Adityanath has cited an order from the Supreme Court of Allahabad to issue a covert threat to those who "play with respect for our sisters". However, in recent weeks the same court has ruled that "two adults are free to choose their own partners", and that a previous ruling stating that "modification for marriage is unacceptable".

Last week, Uttar Pradesh became the first nation to pass a law examining forced religious reform in a 10-year prison term. A few days later, the government of Madhya Pradesh also wrote a bill to punish "love jihad".