J-K implements Anand Marriage Act; it will give statutory recognition to Sikh marriage rituals

Jammu, December 13

Detailed rules were framed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration for registration of marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, which provides statutory recognition to marriage rituals of Sikhs, fulfilling their long-standing demand not to have to solemnise their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act.

‘Jammu and Kashmir Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2023′ has been framed for the registration of “Anand marriages”, under which tehsildars concerned shall be the registrar of such marriages within their respective territorial jurisdiction, as per a government notification issued.

Sikh couples can apply for registration within a period of three months after solemnising their marriage but face late fee if formalities are completed after the expiry of the deadline, reads the notification issued by the department of law, justice and parliamentary affairs on November 30.

“This has been a long pending demand and we are thankful to the Lt Governor for keeping his promise,” Vice President of District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Jammu, Balvinder told PTI.

He said the implementation of the Anand Marriage Act had made the community happy as they “were facing an identity crisis due to the non-availability of a separate Sikh marriage act”.

The emergence of the Anand Marriage Act dates back to 1909 when the British Imperial Legislative Council passed a legislation for the recognition of the Sikh wedding ceremony Anand Karaj. The Act aimed to acknowledge and respect the customs and practices of the community.

In 2012, Parliament passed the Anand Marriage (Amendment) Bill, bringing Sikh traditional marriages under the purview of legal recognition.

While the central government approved the amendments, it was left for individual states and Union territories to frame respective rules for the registration of Anand marriages.