Parent’s permission may be mandatory for love marriage. Gujarat The government is preparing to take steps in this direction. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that his government will study whether the provision of making parental permission mandatory for love marriages can be done within constitutional limits.
Demand to make parents’ permission mandatory for love marriage
Patel made the remarks in response to the demand by some sections of the Patidar community to make parental permission mandatory for love marriages. Addressing a program organized by the Sardar Patel Group, which represents the Patidar community in Mehsana district, on Sunday, the chief minister said state health minister Hrishikesh Patel had suggested him to conduct a study on the incidents of abducting girls for marriage, so that such a system could be implemented. Can be made, in which the permission of the parents (for love marriage) is mandatory.
Minister Hrishikesh Patel suggested
The Chief Minister said, Rishikesh Patel has asked me to study the incidents of abduction of girls to see whether parental consent (for love marriage) can be made mandatory. If the constitution supports, we will study in this regard and try to implement the best system for it.
Congress also praised the government’s move, assured support
Congress MLA Imran Khedawala said that if the government brings a bill in this regard in the assembly, he will support it. He said, at a time when parents are ignored during love marriages, the government is considering making special provisions for love marriages, which should be constitutional. Khedawala said, the Chief Minister has assured that a study will be conducted to make parental permission mandatory for love marriages. If the state government brings such a bill in the assembly session, I will support it.
The matter of Gujarat Religious Freedom Act reached the Supreme Court
The Gujarat government had amended the Gujarat Religious Freedom Act in 2021 and made forced or fraudulent conversion for marriage a punishable offence. Under the amended Act, a provision was made to punish the culprits for 10 years of imprisonment. However, later the Gujarat High Court stayed the implementation of the disputed sections of the Act. This decision was challenged in the Supreme Court and the matter is sub judice.