Deeply concerned about the challenges faced by newly-married Sikh couples in registering their marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, a high-level delegation comprising Manmohan Singh Ratti, President, Kulwant Singh, Senior Vice President, Balbir Singh, General Secretary, Tejinder Singh Vashi, Navi Mumbai and Mohan Singh Saini, of the august body of the Sikhs in Mumbai-Sri Guru Singh Sabha Mumbai, submitted a memorandum to the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Shri Bhushan Gagrani to address the prolonged delay in implementing procedures for registering Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, in Mumbai and the official assured the Sikh leadership of positive steps in the direction.

The Anand Marriage Act enacted in 1909, and amended in 2012, provided statutory recognition to Sikh marriage ceremonies, known as Anand Karaj, making state governments responsible for the registration process and building online and in-person procedures. With the task of reg. So far, 17 Out of 28 states and 8 Union Territories, so far only 17 have formulated the rules.

In the state of Maharashtra, the rules were framed in 2020 but practically there was no process in place. Recently, the issue gained traction after a social media post by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation reignited hope among the local Sikh community.

Singh Sabha Mumbai’s latest appeal underscores the urgency of the matter and reflects the Sikh community’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural and religious practices in Maharashtra. It is also a demonstration of the commitment of the 100-plus year old representative body of the Sikhs in Mumbai.

Speaking to World Sikh News, the Sabha President Manmohan Singh said, “We have been assured by the Commissioner of early compliance and we hope that will streamline the work for young Sikh couples seeking registration under the Anand Marriage Act.

“We will continue to pursue till the procedure becomes a routine as in all other  marriage registrations,” he added.

While Sikhs across the country wait for rules to be enacted and procedures to be put in place, prevarication by Maharashtra who passed rules in 2020 is inexplicable. Singh Sabha also expressed disappointment over the lack of follow-through even after the framing the Maharashtra Anand Marriages Registration Rules, 2020.

Highlighting the significance of marriage registration, the Sabha’s Senior Vice President Kulwant Singh said, “For Sikhs, marriage is not just a legal contract but a sacred bond rooted in our religious teachings and practices as outlined in the Sikh Code of Conduct -the Sikh Rehatnama. The lack of procedures to register these sacred unions under a law that specifically acknowledges our traditions undermines our rights and identity.”

Singh Sabha’s memorandum drew attention to a court case in which the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court intervened on behalf of a Sikh lawyer couple -Amritpal Singh and Satwinder Kaur, who faced years of bureaucratic hurdles to register their marriage.

“We had to fight for 3 long years to get our Anand Marriage certificate. It is unfortunate that for such a basic document, we had to knock the doors of the judiciary,” said Advocate Satwinder Kaur while speaking to WSN.

 

Advocate Amritpal Singh was unequivocal in saying, “It is imperative that Mumbai takes the logical steps, or else, they can be hauled up for contempt of the orders of the Bombay High Court in the matter.”

“Singh Sabha Mumbai has taken a praiseworthy initiative but it is now the duty of every new Sikh couple to push for the Anand Marriage Certificate. We should not lose our right by our own default” he added.

“While the state issued a circular assigning municipal authorities to oversee registration, there has been no practical implementation, sometimes forcing couples to register under other legislations. I am glad the process is underway,” said Tejinder Singh, a Sikh activist from Vashi.

“This is not just about the law—it’s about ensuring that the Sikh community’s distinct identity is respected and upheld,” concluded Singh Sabha General Secretary Balbir Singh.

Advocate Amanjot Singh Chadha filed a petition in the Uttarakhand High Court resulting in the state framing the rules in 2023. Advocate Amanjot Singh Chadha has filed a petition in 2022 in the Supreme Court of India seeking framing of rules by all states and Union Territories and it is still under consideration with the next date of hearing scheduled for 26 March 2025.

The petition reads that, “taking into account the difficulties arising due to the inaction of the State Governments in formulating the rules for the implementation of the said Act, a large section of the society is being disenfranchised from availing of the fruits of a Central Act.”

The opportunity is there. The right is there. The system is getting in place. It is for the Sikhs now to assert their identity through obtaining Anand Marriage Certificates. Otherwise, “you get what you deserve.”