Gandhinagar, Feb 20 (NationPress) On Friday, the Gujarat government put forth a proposal to amend the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act, 2006, mandating that parents must be officially involved in the marriage registration process initiated by couples. This initiative has ignited discussions across various political factions.

The proposal, introduced in the Assembly, aims to revise certain provisions of the Gujarat Marriage Registration framework, compelling couples to reveal if their parents have been informed and to provide details of both parents during the legal process. The government has opened a 30-day window for public feedback and objections before finalizing the regulations.

BJP spokesperson Anil Patel described the proposal as “historic and important,” stating that it addresses concerns voiced by social organizations and parents throughout the state. He asserted that many marriages were occurring under false pretenses, including allegations of “love jihad,” with numerous registrations noted in various villages.

According to him, the proposed system would necessitate official documentation from parents, and individuals supporting the marriage might also be required to present identification information. “Numerous social organizations and affected parents had previously submitted representations to the government, leading to this initiative,” he remarked.

Conversely, Congress MLA Kiritkumar Patel stated that no conclusive decision has been reached yet. He pointed out that Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi has merely presented a proposal and is seeking opinions from various organizations throughout Gujarat for one month.

Patel mentioned that the matter transcends any particular community and has become a wider social issue, impacting Patidar, Thakur, Dalit, and other communities alike. He acknowledged that the topic had been previously discussed in the Legislative Assembly and expressed appreciation for the government’s initiative to foster consultations.

Meanwhile, Purvin Patel, a key leader and spokesperson for the Sardar Patel Group (SPG), also endorsed the proposal. “We aim to unite all communities to deliberate on this issue and gather suggestions. We hope that this will serve as a protective measure for countless individuals in the future,” he stated.

Officials indicated that the proposed regulations would implement a multi-stage process for marriage registration. Couples would need to file a formal declaration stating whether their parents have been notified, along with Aadhaar details, permanent addresses, and contact information of both parents. Following verification by the Assistant Registrar, an official notification would be dispatched to the parents either electronically or physically within 10 working days.

The government also intends to transition the process to a centralized online platform and introduce a mandatory 30-day waiting period from the date of application prior to issuing a marriage registration certificate.

If enacted, this new framework could profoundly modify the marriage registration process in Gujarat, particularly impacting couples wishing to marry without parental consent.