Gandhinagar: The Gujarat govt has received 127 suggestions and objections from citizens and organisations, reflecting a sharp divide on proposed amendments to the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Rules that would make parental intimation mandatory during marriage registration, report Kapil Dave & Meghdoot Sharon. In the feedback, submitted after the draft rules were published, some respondents backed stricter provisions, especially in cases where marriages take place without parental approval, while others warned the changes could turn registration into a tool of surveillance and expose couples to coercion and honour-based violence.Several submissions supporting the amendments sought tougher measures. Some proposed that children who marry against their parents’ wishes should lose rights over their parents’ movable and immovable property. Another suggestion called for the physical presence and signatures of both sets of parents at the time of registration. Some respondents said marriages should be registered in the revenue jurisdiction of the girl’s residence.Other submissions sought additional disclosures from couples, including declarations of financial assets and liabilities, as well as any infectious, congenital or genetic diseases, arguing such measures could help prevent early divorce. Some also demanded stricter punishment in cases described as “love jihad” and said religion-related documents should be sought instead of caste certificates.The proposed amendments also drew strong objections. Several submissions argued that mandatory parental intimation during marriage registration violates the fundamental rights to personal liberty and privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution. Others said uploading marriage details on a public portal would amount to a breach of privacy.Some objections said requiring Aadhaar or other identity details of parents would run contrary to Supreme Court rulings. Others warned that informing parents and imposing a 30-day moratorium before registration could trigger false kidnapping complaints, parental interference, coercion and honour-based violence against couples.The state govt introduced the draft amendments on Feb 20 under the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act, 2006. Under the proposal, applicants would have to submit a declaration stating whether the bride and groom have informed their parents about the marriage. The draft rules say that 10 days after the assistant registrar is satisfied with the documents, parents of both parties would be informed physically or electronically by the govt.At the time, minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi said the move was intended to strengthen safeguards in the registration process. Referring to “love jihad” as a “cultural invasion”, he said the govt was firm on acting against those who “bring disrepute to love”.Govt sources said no decision has yet been taken on the feedback because the model code of conduct for local body elections is in force. They also said the Uniform Civil Code Bill has not yet received Presidential assent. According to the sources, once the UCC comes into force, provisions not covered under it will continue under the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act.
