Anand Marriage Act Enforced in J&K, Giving Statutory Recognition to Sikh Marriage Rituals

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has framed comprehensive rules for the registration of marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, granting official recognition to Sikh marriage rituals. This move fulfills a longstanding demand from the Sikh community, allowing them to avoid solemnizing marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act.

The newly established ‘Jammu and Kashmir Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2023’ designate tehsildars as registrars for Anand marriages within their territorial jurisdictions. Sikh couples are required to apply for registration within three months of their marriage. Late submissions incur a fee, as outlined in the notification issued by the Department of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs on November 30.

Expressing gratitude for the fulfillment of this demand, Balvinder, Vice President of District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Jammu, praised the Lt Governor for keeping his promise. He emphasized that the implementation of the Anand Marriage Act addresses the community’s identity crisis stemming from the absence of a separate Sikh marriage act.

The origins of the Anand Marriage Act trace back to 1909 when the British Imperial Legislative Council passed legislation recognizing the Sikh wedding ceremony, Anand Karaj. The Act aimed to honour the customs and practices of the Sikh community. In 2012, the Parliament passed the Anand Marriage (Amendment) Bill, bringing Sikh traditional marriages under legal recognition.

While the central government approved these amendments, the responsibility to formulate rules for the registration of Anand marriages was delegated to individual states and Union territories. This recent development in Jammu and Kashmir marks a significant step in providing statutory recognition to Sikh marriage rituals, meeting the community’s longstanding demand.