New Delhi, India (May 21, 2012): Indian Parliament’s upper house, called Rajya Sabha, passed the bill aimed at amending Anand Marriage Act, 1909 in order to insert a registration clause in the Act. The bill is expected to be introduced to lower house, called Lok Sabha, today.
It is notable that Anand Marriage Act was passed in 1909 to extend legal recognition to Sikh way of marriage, called Anand Karaj. But after 1947, when Indian Constitution was framed, Sikhs were unnecessarily clubbed with Hindus under Explanation II to Article 25 (2).
In 1955-56 when Hindu personal law was codified, it was also imposed on Sikhs. Since then Sikhs are demanding revival of Sikh personal law.
Now Indian parliament is making some changes in Anand Marraige Act, 1909 to provide for registration of Sikh marriages under 1909 Act, but the Hindu code shall continue to apply on Sikhs.
Many Sikh sections have termed the amendment as insufficient and they are insisting for separate personal law for Sikhs.