Gujarat govt proposes stricter marriage registration norms

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Friday introduced significant amendments to the state’s marriage registration rules in the Legislative Assembly, proposing mandatory intimation to parents during the registration process.Amid rising cases of love marriages and elopements, the proposed changes aim to enhance transparency and plug alleged loopholes in the existing system.Under the new procedure, a marriage registration application must be signed by both parties and two witnesses, duly notarised, and accompanied by government-issued identity proof. The application must be submitted before the jurisdictional Assistant Registrar in prescribed Form-1(I) along with Aadhaar cards of the bride, groom and witnesses, birth or school leaving certificates, marriage invitation card, photographs, and a declaration stating whether parents have been informed.
Additionally, details of both parents—including Aadhaar numbers, full names, residential addresses and mobile numbers—must be provided.Upon scrutiny, the Assistant Registrar will notify the parents within ten working days, either electronically or physically. The application will then be forwarded for verification, and the marriage will be registered after 30 days from the date of application. All details will be uploaded to a government portal before issuing the Marriage Registration Certificate.
Announcing the amendments under the Gujarat Marriage Registration Act, 2006, Sanghavi said stricter provisions are necessary to prevent alleged misuse of the registration process. “Certain loopholes in the existing system have led to instances of alleged fraud,” he said, adding that some anti-social elements were misleading young women by concealing their identities and luring them into marriage under false pretences.Referring to cases in Panchmahal district, he claimed irregularities were found in the issuance of marriage certificates in villages such as Kankodakoi and Nathkuva. “The matter has been thoroughly probed and appropriate action has been initiated,” he said.
Sanghavi clarified that the government does not oppose love marriages but would act strictly in cases involving coercion or deception. “The state government is committed to safeguarding the dignity and rights of women,” he said, warning of strict action against fraudulent or forced marriages.The government has invited objections and suggestions from citizens for 30 days. A committee will review the feedback before finalising the rules within constitutional provisions.Sanghavi said the decision follows nearly 30 consultations over the past three months with social organisations and discussions with Minister of State for Law and Justice Kaushik Vekaria.

(State Correspondent)