Haryana notifies registration of Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act

Chandigarh/ Haryana (May 08, 2014): As per information the Sikh couples in Haryana will now be able to get their marriages registered under the the Anand Marriage Act 1909 instead of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 as the Haryana government on yesterday (on May 07) said it has notified the Anand Marriage Registration Act, 2014 for the registration of marriages of Sikh couples under the Act in the state.

However for all other legal issues concerning the marriage, including the issues concerning validity of marriage, divorce, judicial separation, restitution of conjugal rights or any other matrimonial relief, the Sikhs shall continue to be governed under the Hindu Marriage Act.

The Haryna government has reportedly issued notification in pursuance of 2012 amendment in Anand Marriage Act providing for mere registration of Sikh marriages under the Act.

As per information, a Home Department official of Haryana Governemnt said: “For the purpose of registration of ‘Anand Marriage’ within the state, the revenue officers concerned in case of rural areas and the Joint Commissioner concerned in case of Municipal Corporation are authorised as Registrar within their respective jurisdiction”.

“While the Executive Officers concerned for the Municipal Committee and the Secretary concerned of Municipal Council in Urban areas are authorised as Registrar within their respective jurisdiction,” he reportedly said, while adding further that: “the Anand Marriage would be registered with the registrar within whose jurisdiction such marriage is solemnised”.

It is notable that Sikh marriage ceremonies, that are different from that of Hindus, are called ‘Anand Karaj’ or the blissful event. Despite being a separate religion the Sikhs were forcefully clubbed with Hindu laws in India.

Sikhs do have a separate personal law in Pakistan where the Sikh population is less than twenty thousands. Though the majority of global Sikh population resides in India, but the Indian state has been wrongfully denying separate personal law to the Sikhs.

Various Sikh organizations have already clarified that their demand for separate personal law for Sikhs still persists as mere registration under the Anand Marriage Act is just a marginal relief.

It is worth mentioning here that the Punjab government has not yet notified the registration of marriages under the Anand Marraige Act.