Anand Marriage Act has come into force in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir administration has made and implemented detailed rules for registration of marriage under the Anand Marriage Act. These rules provide legal recognition to marriages performed according to Sikh customs. With this, their long standing demand of not marrying under the Hindu Marriage Act has been fulfilled. According to a government notification, ‘Jammu and Kashmir Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2023’ have been framed for the registration of ‘Anand Karaj’. Under this, the concerned Tehsildar will register such marriages within his jurisdiction.
You can apply within 3 months of marriage
The notification issued by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on November 30 states that Sikh couples can apply for registration within a period of 3 months after their marriage, but after the expiry of the deadline, they will be barred from completing the formalities. Will have to face late fees. Balwinder, vice president of Jammu’s District Gurdwara Management Committee, said, ‘This was a long pending demand and we are grateful to the Lieutenant Governor for keeping his promise.’ He said that the people of the community are happy with the implementation of the Anand Marriage Act.
The bill was passed by Parliament in 2012
Balwinder said, ‘They were facing an identity crisis due to the unavailability of a separate Sikh Marriage Act.’ The Anand Marriage Act was enacted in 1909 by the ‘British Imperial Legislative Council’ to recognize the Sikh marriage ceremony ‘Anand Karaj’. In 2012, Parliament passed the Anand Vivah (Amendment) Bill, bringing Sikh traditional marriage within the ambit of legal recognition. The central government has approved the amendments, but it has been left to the states and union territories to make relevant rules for registration of Anand Karaj. (Language)
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