Says, Coming generations will no longer be forced to register their Anand Karaj marriages under any other law
States must implement without delay; justice delayed has already caused much pain
2012 amendment under former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh gave Anand Karaj legal framework
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Padma Shri Pargat Singh, Secretary of the All India Congress Committee and MLA, today welcomed the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment directing full implementation of the Anand Marriage (Anand Karaj) Act. He described the ruling as not merely a legal directive, but a historic affirmation of the Sikh community’s distinct identity, traditions, and dignity.
“This verdict will assure future generations that they will never again be forced to register their sacred Anand Karaj under another law. It is about much more than procedure—it is about self-respect, equality, and justice,” Singh said.
He recalled that while the original Anand Marriage Act was passed in 1909, it was the 2012 amendment—introduced and passed under the leadership of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh—that created a separate legal framework for Sikh marriages. Despite this, for years Sikh couples continued to face the indignity of registering their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act.
“The Supreme Court has now ended this long neglect. Every Sikh family can today take pride in registering their marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, in keeping with their faith and customs,” Singh added.
He urged all States and Union Territories to immediately frame rules and establish systems for implementation. “Justice delayed has already caused enough hardship. There must be no further delay in enforcement,” he emphasized.
Singh pointed out that the directive applies to 17 states and 7 Union Territories which have not yet framed rules, including Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, as well as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, Puducherry, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Reassuring the community, Singh affirmed: “The Congress stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sikh Panth to ensure full compliance and monitoring of this judgment. Punjab has always upheld the values of faith and justice, and this verdict strengthens that legacy.”