Govt to make registration of marriages compulsory

NEW DELHI: The government on Monday said it plans to bring in a legislation making registration of marriages compulsory.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Law and Justice K Venkatapathy told Rajya Sabha that a proposal to enact a suitable legislation relating to 'Compulsory Registration of Marriages' is under the government's consideration

"In view of the importance and complexity of the matter, it may take some more time before a bill is introduced in Parliament," Venkatapathy said.
 
The minister said this was being done on the recommendations of National Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Women and as per the Supreme Court judgement in the matter of Seema vs Ashwani Kumar.

The apex court had on July 23 last ruled that marriages of all persons, who are citizens of India, belonging to various religions should be made compulsorily registrable in their respective states, where the marriage is solemnised.