Cleric wants open debate on Sikh Marriage Act-2012 draft

He was addressing the Sikh intelligentsia during the presentation of the draft by its maker Daljit Singh,Principal of Khalsa College and a legal luminary.

The Jathedar said the draft needs more discussion and should be printed in bulk to be distributed to the masses and should also be put on the internet for Sikhs to view it worldwide.

Daljit Singh initiated a debate and there was a general opinion that that Sikhs must have their own separate personal law and agreed to adopt the draft the copy which was submitted to the Jathedar.

The participants also said the amendments being made in the Ananad Marriage Act of 1909,by the Centre were not sufficient and were not as per the aspirations of the Sikhs.

There is already a debate over the absence of divorce clause in the Act and Daljit Singh said the draft of the new Act should be adopted by the Centre to make a ‘complete law’ that will govern Sikh marriages and all its aspects including

divorce,maintenance,adoption and other issues.

Daljit Singh said the draft has been prepared keeping in view the Sikh code of conduct and deals with issues including definition of Sikh and ‘Anand Karaj’,divorce,alimony and property rights and adoption.

The draft does not touch the subject of gay marriages which are prohibited under Sikh traditions.

Daljeet Singh said the separate Act for Sikhs should not be construed as a political demand but a legal one,which is a constitutional right of the community.