Maharashtra government to implement 'Sikh Anand Marriage Act' across the state
PTC News Desk: In a significant move, Maharashtra government has issued directives to all Departmental Commissioners for the statewide implementation of the Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Act.
The directive acknowledges Sikh marriage rites in the state and facilitate simpler registration of Sikh marriages. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sisra, who recently took charge as Environment Minister in Delhi, has welcomed the move.
On February 6, 2025, the Maharashtra State Punjabi Sahitya Academy and the 11-member Sikh Coordination Committee, Government of Maharashtra, submitted a representation to Ruchesh Jaivanshi, Secretary of the Minority Development Department, urging the implementation of the Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Act and the smooth registration and issuance of marriage certificates. In response, the Minority Development Department issued official directives to the Departmental Commissioners of Maharashtra on February 25, 2025.
Sikh community has welcomed the move and called it a historic step ensuring seamless registration of marriages and hassle-free issuance of marriage certificates.
What is Sikh Anand Marriage Act ?
The Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Act recognises the Sikh wedding ceremony, Anand Karaj, as a legally valid marriage. The Anand Karaj hold significant reverance amongst the Sikh community which legality and sanctity to the marriage ceremony among Sikhs. The act was originally passed in 1909 by the British Imperial Legislative Council.
In 2012, the Parliament passed the Anand Marriage (Amendment) Bill, giving traditional Sikh marriages legal recognition, allowing them to register their marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, aligning their legal status with their cultural identity and resolving a long-standing problem.
As the central government enacted the amendments, states were individually directed to constitute specific rules for registration of marriages.
Due to the absence of such provisions in many states, Sikhs had to register their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, despite their distinct religious identity. This was not liked by Sikhs," said Chembur resident Puran Singh Banga.
- PTC NEWS
