Kathmandu, 03 Aug: Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya has stated that the government has not introduced any law intended to promote polygamy.
He made this remark while receiving a memorandum submitted by the Nepal Women’s Association at the ministry on Sunday. Media reports had claimed that the government was preparing to amend the Civil Code Act, 2074 (2017), to legalize polygamy under certain conditions.
Clarifying the issue, Minister Chaurasiya said there is no intention to bring a law that encourages polygamy, adding that he himself has daughters at home. He also pledged that no law will be made that would make things harder for women.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, said the government is ready to amend any terms in the law that may convey a misleading meaning.
“If the wording of the draft causes any misunderstanding, we are willing to revise it,” he said. “Just as there are legal provisions to take action against men to discourage polygamy, similar provisions will apply to women as well. This is about the rights of the child. The child has done nothing wrong — why should they be punished?” Minister Chaurasiya questioned. “Shouldn’t the child’s lineage be recognized? If the man deceived the woman, shouldn’t he be made to pay compensation? The amendment seeks to ensure proper compensation — not to promote polygamy. Don’t we have daughters in our own homes? Would we make laws that would cause harm to women in the future? If any wording leads to a wrong interpretation, we will revise that too.”
Minister Chaurasiya clarified that the government’s intention is to amend the law to ensure the rights of children born out of illegitimate or deceptive relationships.
He emphasized that the proposed legal amendment would hold whichever party — male or female — found guilty in such relationships accountable under the law.
“The draft in question does not mention polygamy,” he explained. “It addresses cases where a child is conceived from a deceptive relationship — let’s call it what it is — where either the man misled the woman or vice versa. The amendment is focused on protecting child rights. If this amendment is unnecessary, we are ready to remove it as well.”
“If a man deceives a woman, or a woman deceives a man into a relationship, both should be equally accountable under the law,” he added.
He also clarified that the draft is still under discussion within the cabinet committee and not yet finalized. Therefore, he urged the public not to misrepresent it as the official stance of the government.
Some media reports had suggested that the law would allow individuals to legally recognize spouses and children from such deceptive relationships if they choose to accept them.
