THE AN AND MARRIAGE ACT, 1909
(7OF1909)
[22nd October, 1909]
An Act to remove doubts as to the validity of the marriage ceremony common
among the Sikhs called Anand.
whereas it is expedient to remove any doubts as to the validity of the marriage ceremony common among the Sikhs called Anand;
It is hereby enacted as follows:—
Statement of Objects and Reasons.—The object of the Bill is to set at rest doubts which may be raised of the validity of the marriage rite of the Sikhs called “Anand”.
This form of marriage has long been practised among the Sikhs but there are good reasons to believe that in the absence of validating enactment, doubts may be thrown upon it and Sikhs may have to face great difficulties in future and incur heavy expenses on suits instituted in the Civil Courts. It is also apprehended that in the absence of such law some Judicial Officers may be uncertain as to the validity of this orthodox Sikh custom.
It is desirable therefore, that all doubts should be set at rest for the future bypassing this enactment which merely validates and accepting the rite by following any new principles.
1. Short title and extent.—(1) This Act may be called the anand marriage Acr,1909.
(2) It extends to the whole of India J[except the State of Jarnmu and Kashmir].
2. Validity of Anand marriage.—All marriages which may be or may have been duly solemnised according to the Sikh Marriage ceremony called Anand shall be and shall be deemed to have been with effect from the date of the solemnization of each respectively, good and valid in law.
3. Exemption of certain marriages from Act.—Nothing in this Act shall apply to—
(a) any marriage between persons not professing the Sikh religion, or
(b) any marriage which has been judicially declared to be null and void.
4. Saving of marriages solemnized according to other ceremonies.—
Nothing in this Act shall affect the validity of any marriage duly solemnized according to any other marriage ceremony customary among the Sikhs.
5. Non-validation of marriages within prohibited degrees.—Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to validate any marriage between persons who are related to each other in any degree of consanguinity or affinity which would, according to the customary law of the Sikhs, render a marriage between them illegal.
1. Substituted by Act 48 of 1959, S. 3 and Sch.l, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-2-1960).
