Harjinder Singh Kukreja does it again. Known for his flamboyant style in making unique efforts to uphold Sikh identity, he, along with his wife Harkirat Kaur Kukreja has set a trend in pushing for the registration of their marriage under the Anand Marriage Act. Navigating through the process which was made easier by the Punjab government, the media-savvy travel influencer couple has obtained their certificate under the Anand Marriage Act and are now on a mission to make this happen for other couples, in Punjab and elsewhere, acknowledging that there very little awareness.  WSN editor Jagmohan Singh speaks to Harjinder Singh Kukreja to piece together his journey in getting his marriage certification and the road ahead.

HARJINDER SINGH KUKREJA was keen to get his marriage registered under the Anand Marriage Act, even before his marriage. Today, with three beautiful school-going kids in tow, holding his Anand Marriage certificate in hand, he sees it as a momentous occasion, a testament to the distinctiveness of the Sikh faith, and a reflection of the Sikh community’s long struggle for legal acknowledgment of their matrimonial traditions against ostracization, segregation and assimilation.

“I feel lib­er­ated. Initially, as having my wedding registered under the Hindu Marriage Act left me feeling unsettled. I found myself wondering how my marriage could be aligned with a law that didn’t reflect my religious beliefs. The wait has been worth it. I feel that though it has come far too late in the day for the Sikhs, this cer­ti­fi­ca­tion is an en­dorse­ment and asser­tion of Sikh iden­tity,” said Har­jin­der Singh Kukreja while speak­ing to The World Sikh News

“My decision to transition from the Hindu Marriage Act to the Anand Marriage Act is a profound affirmation of my faith. How could I turn my back to the glorious Sikh marriage tradition of the Fourth Sovereign -Guru Amardass Ji?”

My decision to transition from the Hindu Marriage Act to the Anand Marriage Act is a profound affirmation of my faith.

Harjinder Singh Kukreja

Harjinder Singh and Harkirat Kaur Kukreja have indeed set a sterling example by embracing their rights under the Anand Marriage Act—a long-overdue recognition for the Sikh community. This remarkable step reflects not only their commitment to their faith but also signifies a collective awakening within the community, igniting a hope that the future will hold more such affirmations of Sikh identity.

Speaking to WSN, Harjinder Singh Kukreja said, “The saga of the Anand Marriage Act’s enactment and implementation has been a checkered one. The Anand Marriage Act was passed in 1909. It was amended, after more than a century in 2012, and only in 2016 were rules framed for registration under the amended law.  My certificate under the Anand Marriage Act symbolizes a hard-won victory—a narrative of resilience and identity retention within the Sikh community.”

A community that wanted the Anand Marriage Act implemented post-haste has been rather lax in the actual process of obtaining the certificates.  There is little awareness about the existence of such provisions amongst the beneficiaries, lawyers, and the bureaucracy.

So far only twenty-two states, including Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Delhi, have implemented the Act, but it has not been in right earnest despite the notification issued eight years ago. There are many that have not yet notified the marriage registration process. In some where notifications have been done, the process of incorporating the system of Anand Marriage registration into the government’s computers has not taken place.  In fact, in some states, the administrative staff dissuades Sikh couples from taking such a certificate only because of their lethargy to open a new system of registration.

Just a few months back, a lawyer couple from Maharashtra had to knock the doors of the Bombay High Court to force the government of Maharashtra to start the issuance of Anand Marriage Certificates under the Anand Marriage Act.

The actions taken by Harjinder and Harkirat Kukreja are not just rooted in personal belief but are a powerful statement on behalf of Sikhs everywhere. Their initiative is a clarion call to their peers, reminding them of their rights and the importance of registering Sikh marriages under the appropriate legal framework.

Speaking to World Sikh News, Harkirat Kaur Kukreja said, “This isn’t just about us; it’s about setting a precedent. If our actions can inspire other Sikh couples to embrace their legal rights under the Anand Marriage Act, we consider it a victory for our community.”

This isn’t just about us; it’s about setting a precedent. If our actions can inspire other Sikh couples to embrace their legal rights under the Anand Marriage Act, we consider it a victory for our community.

Harkirat Kaur Kukreja

The initiative of Harjinder Singh Kukreja calls for reflection, not only on the Sikh community’s century-long quest for identity affirmation but also on the ongoing journey toward social justice and recognition in the world’s largest democracy.

This strong affirmation of identity, built on decades of advocacy, alongside the recognition of steadfast Sikh matrimonial traditions through time, deserves to be embraced by everyone.

This resounding affirmation of identity, a tapestry woven through decades of advocacy, and a recognition of the Sikh matrimonial traditions that have remained steadfast through the annals of time needs emulation by one and all.