Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed concern over crimes related to polygamy on tribal women in the state.
Khandu stated that while polygamy is an age-old practice in tribal culture, adopted by elders for reasons such as farming, hunting, and wars, it should be avoided in the modern era.
He emphasised the role of education in changing lives and stated that human survival is sufficient in all aspects without the practice of polygamy.
Khandu clarified that this was not an official statement but a personal view.
He urged the apex body of all the tribes of Arunachal and community-based organisations to take a stand on the issue and initiate discussions on its societal impact.
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He further suggested that these bodies send recommendations to the government if legal support is needed to ban polygamy.
The CM expressed his government's willingness to enact a law banning polygamy in the assembly, following such recommendations.
Khandu stated "In our tribal culture Polygamy is an age-old practice adopted by our elders for several reasons like having a big family for farming activities, hunting and many reasons, but now in the modern era when education is changing lives and human survival is sufficient in all aspects we should avoid practising polygamy. It is not my official statement rather my personal view is that we should stop the Polygamy culture in our state. The apex body of all the tribes of Arunachal and community-based organisations must take a stand on it and take initiative on its causes on society through discussions involving intellectuals and send recommendations to the government if legal support is needed to ban polygamy which will further lead to its complete ban and my Government will happily put a ban on it through enacting a law in the assembly following the recommendations."