Jammu, In a historic move, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has implemented the Anand Marriage Act, fulfilling a longstanding demand of the Sikh community. The detailed rules, titled ‘Jammu and Kashmir Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2023,’ were framed to provide statutory recognition to Sikh marriage rituals, addressing the community’s desire to separate from the Hindu Marriage Act.
The Anand Marriage Act traces its origins back to 1909 when the British Imperial Legislative Council passed legislation recognizing the Sikh wedding ceremony Anand Karaj. The act was designed to honor the customs and practices of the Sikh community, respecting their unique traditions.
Under the newly implemented rules, tehsildars will act as registrars for “Anand marriages” within their respective territorial jurisdictions. Sikh couples are encouraged to apply for registration within three months of solemnizing their marriage. However, late fees will be imposed if formalities are completed after the expiration of the deadline, as outlined in a notification issued by the department of law, justice, and parliamentary affairs on November 30.
“This has been a long-pending demand, and we are thankful to the Lt Governor for keeping his promise,” expressed Balvinder, the vice president of the District Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, Jammu. The Sikh community welcomes the implementation of the Anand Marriage Act, considering it a significant milestone that addresses their identity concerns.
The Anand Marriage Act, initially passed in 1909, gained further recognition in 2012 when the Parliament passed the Anand Marriage (Amendment) Bill, bringing Sikh traditional marriages under legal purview. While the central government approved the amendments, it was left to individual states and union territories to formulate rules for the registration of Anand marriages.
The implementation of the Anand Marriage Act in Jammu & Kashmir marks a crucial step towards recognizing and preserving the cultural and religious identity of the Sikh community.
