Lok Sabha: Sikhs can register marriage under Anand Act

Participating in the discussion on the Bill,MPs cutting across party lines echoed Badals sentiments.

Parties across the political spectrum praised the government in Lok Sabha on Tuesday for bringing the Anand Marriage (Amendment) Bill,2012,to allow Sikhs to register marriages under the Anand Marriage Act instead of the Hindu Marriage Act. The Bill was passed by the House after a discussion.

This is a historic day for the Sikh community. We are grateful to the Prime Minister and Law Minister for bringing this legislation. This will benefit the community at large, Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal said.

Participating in the discussion on the Bill,MPs cutting across party lines echoed Badals sentiments.

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Badal demanded that the government amend Article 25 of the Constitution that clubs Sikhs with Hindus and grant them separate legal identity. Congresss Pratap Singh Bajwa sought legislative changes on the lines of the Hindu code Bill to codify separate personal laws related to marriages,succession,guardianship,divorce and maintenance for Sikhs.

The Rajya Sabha has already passed the Bill.

Admitting that it had taken long to amend to the Anand Act,Law Minister Salman Khurshid said this is a symbolic gesture and we should respect sentiments of all communities.

Sikhs have maintained that they face problems abroad as their certificates are issued under the Hindu Marriage Act. Besides Sikhs,Jains and Buddhists are issued certificates under the Hindu laws. WITH PTI inputs