Parental consent compulsory: Gujarat moves to amend marriage registration law
PTC News Desk: The Gujarat government has proposed amendments to the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act 2026 to make parental consent compulsory. The amendment is widely seen as a move linked to rising concerns over 'love jihad'.
According to the reports, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi tabled the proposal in the state Assembly on Friday (February 20) under Rule 44, calling it a “matter of public importance”. He said the government was not opposed to love marriages but was seeking to “protect the dignity of girls and sanatan dharma”.
Saying that “under the name of love jihad, a game is being played in the state,” Minister Harsh Sanghavi said that young women need a “strong armour” for protection. He referred to alleged irregularities in districts like Panchmahal, Banaskantha, Navsari and Mehsana. Speaking in the Assembly, he said that if someone changes his identity to trap innocent girls, strict action will be taken against him.
According to reports, the proposed changes in marriage registration rules would require couples to submit a notarised application signed by both partners and two witnesses. They would also need to provide identity proof, Aadhaar cards, birth or school leaving certificates, wedding invitation cards, photographs, and a declaration stating whether their parents have been informed. Similar documents from both sets of parents would also be required.
Parents would be informed within 10 working days after confirmation by the Assistant Registrar, either electronically or physically. The marriage registration would be completed 30 days later, once the Registrar is satisfied that all rules have been followed. The government has invited public suggestions for 30 days and will form a committee to review them before finalising the amendments.
The proposal comes after a memorandum submitted in December 2025 by former members of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, seeking compulsory parental consent for marriage registration.
- With inputs from agencies
