Anand Marriage Act Extended to Sikkim: A Landmark Decision

In a significant development, the President has extended the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, to the state of Sikkim, enabling the formal registration of Sikh weddings under the ceremony known as Anand Karaj. This extension, informed by a government notification released on Wednesday, introduces certain modifications to accommodate the regional context.

This move aligns with a directive from the Supreme Court issued in September of the previous year, urging states and Union Territories to establish rules within four months to register marriages conducted under the Sikh practice. The President's order, executed under the constitutional powers conferred by Article 371F, will see the provisions of the Act activated in Sikkim's defined areas. The central government will notify specific dates for these provisions to take effect through the official gazette.

The decision underscores the mandate from the apex court bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, which prompted the Centre to consider extending the Act to Sikkim. This initiative seeks to align state rules with Section 6 of the Anand Marriage Act, facilitating registration and affirming the validity of marriages consummated via the Sikh ceremony.