The Gujarat government has put forth amendments to the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act, 2006, suggesting that parents must now be formally engaged in the marriage registration process initiated by couples. This proposal, introduced in the Assembly, aims to modify the existing framework by necessitating couples to disclose parental notification and provide parental details during registration. Public feedback and objections are invited for a 30-day period before finalizing the regulations.
BJP spokesperson Anil Patel praised the proposal as “historic and significant,” addressing concerns raised by social organizations and parents in the state. He highlighted issues such as inducements and alleged “love jihad” leading to numerous registrations in various villages. The proposed mechanism would require official documents of parents and possibly identification details of those supporting the marriage.
In contrast, Congress MLA Kiritkumar Patel clarified that no conclusive decision has been made yet. Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi has presented the proposal, seeking opinions from organizations across Gujarat for a month. Patel emphasized that the matter transcends communities, impacting Patidar, Thakur, Dalit, and other groups. He appreciated the government’s move to initiate consultations on this social concern.
Prominent leader Purvin Patel from the Sardar Patel Group (SPG) welcomed the proposal, aiming to engage all communities in discussions and gather suggestions. He expressed hope that the new regulations would serve as a protective measure for numerous individuals in the future. The proposed rules would establish a multi-stage process for marriage registration, requiring couples to declare parental notification, provide Aadhaar details, permanent addresses, and contact numbers of both parents.
The government also plans to transition the process to a centralized online portal and introduce a mandatory 30-day waiting period before issuing a marriage registration certificate. If implemented, these changes could significantly impact the marriage registration procedure in Gujarat, especially for couples seeking to marry without parental involvement.
