Historic Ruling: Sikh Anand Karaj Marriages Must Be Legally Registered, Says Supreme Court

New Delhi ( The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has delivered a landmark judgment on the registration of Anand Karaj (Sikh marriage). The court directed all states and union territories to notify marriage registration rules within four months. The bench emphasized that in a secular framework, ensuring equality of citizens is the duty of the state. Once the law recognizes Anand Karaj as a valid form of marriage, its registration should be treated at par with other marriages.

Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta observed that “a promise half-kept is no fulfillment at all.” They stated that without a proper registration system, the recognition of Anand Karaj remains incomplete. The court clarified that faith should neither be turned into a privilege nor an obstacle by the state.

The Sikh tradition of Anand Karaj marriages was recognized under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909. In 2012, Section 6 was added, placing the responsibility on states to frame rules and maintain marriage registers. While several states have notified rules, many still lag behind.

Court’s Directives:

With immediate effect: All states and UTs must accept applications for registration of Anand Karaj marriages under existing frameworks.

The central government must share model rules within two months and file a consolidated compliance report in six months. Special instructions were issued for Goa, Daman & Diu, requiring rule notification within four months under the 1962 Act. Sikkim authorities must ensure registration of Anand Karaj marriages under existing 1963 rules, pending an extension of the 1909 Act under Article 371F(N).