World Sikh Organization Applauds Pakistan for Recognizing Sikh Marriages

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Ottawa, December 11, 2007

This is in marked contrast to the treatment received by Sikhs in India.  The Indian government has, time and again, refused to enact a similar law. Instead, Sikhs are denied this very basic right to affirm their distinct identity and are forced to register their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act.

With its origins in India, Sikhism is the fifth largest world religion.  Founded over 500 years ago by Guru Nanak, Sikhism teaches the belief in the fundamental equality of all human beings, irrespective of race, religion, caste, or gender.  

“Sikhs are not Hindus,” says, Ram Raghbir Singh Chahal, President of the World Sikh Organization, “but the Indian government has consistently denied this fact and has consistently tried to erode the distinct identity of the Sikhs”.  Despite the objection of the Sikh community, Sikhs were lumped together with Hindus in the Indian constitution and have been denied the right to register under their own marriage act since India’s independence from Britain.  Under British colonial rule, Sikhs had the right to register their marriages under a Sikh marriage act commonly known as The Anand Marriage Act, 1909 (AMA).

Says Gian Singh Sandhu, Senior Policy Advisor of the World Sikh Organization, “Sikhs struggled side by side with their Hindu brothers and sisters for independence.  Yet inexplicably, it was the very act of Indian independence that resulted in the passing of this offensive marriage law for Sikhs.  It is unacceptable that India continues to deny Sikhs the right to their own religious identity.  Christians and Muslims are not forced to register under the Hindu Marriage Act,  why are Sikhs forced to do so?”

The World Sikh Organization urges India to follow Pakistan’s lead, and enact a Sikh marriage act for the benefit of its 19 million Sikhs.