mumbai news , A Sikh couple has approached the Bombay High Court demanding that the state government frame rules for the joyous rituals related to marriage in the Sikh community.Bombay High Court) has been filed. The petition is expected to be heard soon. The petition has sought to frame these rules under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909. Apart from Maharashtra, this act has been implemented in ten states and its rules have also been fixed. This includes the states of Delhi, Punjab, Kerala, Assam, Rajasthan etc.
A wedding ceremony in the Sikh community consists of a ritual called Anand Karaj. Accordingly their marriages are registered separately. But till now it has not been implemented in Maharashtra. In the absence of this, the newly married couple has to register only as per the Hindu Marriage Act, the petition has complained about. According to the ritual of Anand Karaj, it can be legally recognized even after marriage. But it is unfortunate that this law is not yet implemented in Maharashtra, sorry in this petition.
The Anand Act was enacted in the year 1909. Later in the year 2012, it was amended and all the states of the country were directed to implement the law. But till now it has not been implemented in Maharashtra. In this case, the petitioner husband and wife had married in Aurangabad’s Bhai Daya Singh Gurdwara last year. But he has explained that since the Anand Marriage Act is not applicable in the state, it cannot be registered under that Act. Therefore, it has been demanded through this petition that it should be implemented as per the directions of the Central Government.
What is Anand Karaj?
Marriage in Sikhism is called Anand Karaj. There is no special significance of Lagna, Muhurta, omen-auspiciousness, calculation of constellations, preparation of horoscope and matching for Anand Karaj. That’s why all these things are very important in Hindu marriage. All the days of Anand Karaj are considered holy for those who have faith in God. In Anand Karaj, Sikh marriages are performed only by performing four rounds or Lavan in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. Seven rounds are required in a Hindu marriage. For all these reasons, Sikh marriages are different from marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, say experts.
