The Supreme Court has issued a landmark directive requiring 17 States and 7 Union Territories to frame rules under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, for the registration of Sikh marriages within four months.
The Court pointed out that the absence of such rules, even after more than a decade since Parliament amended the Act in 2012 to include Sikh marriage registration, has led to discriminatory treatment of citizens.
“In a secular republic, the State must not turn a citizen’s faith into either a privilege or a handicap,” the bench remarked, underscoring that the right to a marriage certificate is not a ceremonial formality but a constitutional necessity tied to inheritance, maintenance, succession, and spousal rights.
Until state-specific rules are in place, all Anand Karaj marriages must be registered under the prevailing general marriage laws, such as the Special Marriage Act, with the certificate explicitly noting the Anand Karaj rite when requested by the couple.
The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stressed that Section 6 of the Anand Marriage Act imposes a statutory duty— not an optional task— on States to ensure a registration mechanism for Sikh marriages. Arguments that this duty could be ignored based on population size were rejected outright.
The ruling came on a petition by Amanjot Singh Chadha, who highlighted the patchwork reality where some states allow Sikh marriage registration while others do not, leaving Sikh couples in limbo depending on where they live.
The Court issued time-bound directions to ensure nationwide implementation:
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Rules within four months – All States/UTs yet to notify rules must do so and publish them in the Gazette.
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Immediate registration – Until new rules are framed, Anand Karaj marriages must be accepted under existing laws without discrimination. Marriage certificates must record the rite if requested.
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Clarifications in notified States – States that already have rules must issue circulars within three months, ensuring transparency on forms, fees, and procedures, and preventing duplicate registrations.
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Nodal officers – Every State/UT must designate a Secretary-level officer within two months to monitor compliance and address grievances.
The Court emphasized that while non-registration does not invalidate a Sikh marriage, the absence of certification leaves families vulnerable, especially women and children.
With this ruling, the Court has pressed the States to bridge the gap between law and lived reality, ensuring Sikh marriages receive equal recognition under the framework of constitutional equality.
