Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann asserted that the Anand Marriage Act that gives a status of recognition to a marriage in Sikh community, will be implemented in Punjab now. He added that despite the notification being issued in 2016, Punjab has lagged behind in the implementation of Anand Marriage Act.
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Furthermore, he added that various other states like Haryana, Delhi as well as Tamil Nadu have already implemented the act. However, he said that now the act in true letter and spirit, will be implemented in Punjab. Notably, on the 553rd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, CM Mann paid obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, after which he made the assertion.
What Is The Anand Marriage Act?
India has a diverse population including people from various communities. Moreover, the rituals of marriage vary from community to community. However, sometimes some marriage rituals are doubted and their validity is questioned. To overcome such situations, the Anand Marriage Act had been introduced.
Notably, the Anand Marriage Act 1909 extends to the entire country except Jammu and Kashmir UT. Furthermore, as per the act, all marriages which are solemnised as per “Anand”, the Sikh Marriage ceremony, shall get a statutory recognition as per the law. However, there are some exceptions also!
As per the law, exemption from the Act of some marriages — Nothing in this Act shall apply to:
(a) marriages between individuals who do not practise the Sikh religion; or
(b) marriages that have been ruled by a court to be invalid.
Similarly, few more important points to be remembered:
Saving of weddings performed in accordance with other rituals.— Nothing in this Act will invalidate a marriage that has been properly solemnised using another Sikh customary marriage ceremony.
Marriages within forbidden degrees are not valid —
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as validating a marriage between individuals who are related to one another in a consanguineous or affine manner that, under Sikh community laws, makes such marriage unlawful or illegal.
Moreover, the implementation of the Anand Marriage Act in Punjab, would be seen as a major step taken by the Bhagwant Mann government for the welfare of the entire Sikh community. Furthermore, it will be interesting to see when the government implements this act in the state.
