May 8, 2014 - CHANDIGARH: Sikh couples in Haryana will now be able to get their marriages registered under the Anand Marriage Act instead of the Hindu Marriage Act.
Fulfilling the long-pending demand of Sikhs, Haryana government on Wednesday announced the formation of rules to register Anand Karaj, the Sikh marriage ceremony, solemnized by the community members.
The fresh move seems to be an attempt by Bhupinder Singh Hooda government to woo the community members ahead of upcoming assembly polls in October. Political observers feel that the community members have a significant say in 30 assembly seats of Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Ambala and Karnal Lok Sabha constituencies and a presence in Faridabad and Gurgoan.
With around 15% inhabitants, Haryana has the second largest population of Sikhs in the country after Punjab, said Didar Singh Nalvi, president of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC) (ad hoc).
Welcoming the fresh move, Nalvi said, "It's a belated but right decision."
Sikh groups have been maintaining that members of the community face problems abroad as their certificates are issued under the Hindu Marriage Act.
"The officials ask the members of my community how their wedding was registered under the Hindu Marriage Act when they belong to Sikh religion," said Nalvi, who has been fighting for separate SGPC for Haryana for the past 14 years.
"It seems that the government has taken this decision keeping in view the next assembly elections. But still, we are happy," he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, former president of Punjab and Haryana Bar Association Kulbir Singh Dhaliwal said, "We were waiting for such a move since long. Such issues have emotional impact on the mindset of every individual, who wants the law should recognize their way of wedding."
Although the Anand marriage law was enacted in 1909, there was no provision for registration of marriages, which were registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The parliament had passed the law allowing Sikhs to register their marriages under the Anand Marriage Act instead of the Hindu Marriage Act in 2012, but Haryana has issued the notification now.
Meanwhile, the new rules, which have been implemented with immediate effect, would be called Haryana Anand Marriages Registration Rules, 2014