Supreme Court Directs States/UTs To Register Sikh Marriages, Make Rules Under Anand Marriage Act Within 4 Months

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has directed 17 States and 7 Union Territories to notified rules under Section 6 of the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 (amended in 2012) within four months to operationalize registration of marriages solemnised by the Sikh ritual of Anand Karaj. The court found that longstanding non-implementation of such rules has resulted in unequal treatment of Sikh citizens across India, violating the constitutional right to equality. Until the state-rules are formally notified, the Court ordered that Anand Karaj marriages be registered under existing general marriage laws—such as the Special Marriage Act or Hindu Marriage Act—if the parties so request, with certificates explicitly mentioning “Anand Karaj.” The ruling ensures certification and evidentiary recognition for Sikh marriages and affirms that validity is not contingent on registration, but lack of registration deprives couples of statutory benefits and recognition. The Court has also mandated that the Union issue model rules, States/UTs must act expeditiously, and existing registrars must accept applications in the interim. This decision affirms legislative intent in the 2012 amendment, seeks to remove administrative barriers, and reinforces constitutional guarantees to religious freedom, dignity, and parity.