These days social media is abuzz with news related to the marriage of Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal. According to the current information, this couple will get engaged on 22 June. Now in such a situation, a question arises in the minds of people that when Sonakshi and Zaheer get married, which religion’s customs will be followed?
First understand what the law says in this matter?
In the year 1954, a law was made for such cases, Special Marriage Act. Under this Act, people of two different religions can marry without changing their religion. This law applies to every person in the country, irrespective of their religion or caste. At the same time, to get married under the Special Marriage Act, the age of the boy should be 21 years and the age of the girl should be 18 years.
However, 30 days before getting married, they will have to apply for this in the Marriage Registration Office. If any objection is received regarding the marriage within 30 days, then the employees of the marriage registration office investigate it and if the objection is found to be true, then the marriage registration office has the right to not allow the marriage.
Whose customs will be followed?
Which religion’s customs will be followed during the marriage, this decision depends on the discretion of the boy and the girl. That is, if the boy and the girl want, they can get married according to Muslim customs or Hindu customs. But there is a catch here. If the marriage is to be done according to Muslim customs, then the Maulvi cannot perform the Nikah until the boy or girl of a different religion accepts Islam. Actually, under the Muslim Marriage Act, it is necessary for the bride and groom to be of the same religion. However, in Hindu customs, there is no compulsion for the boy and the girl to have the same religion.
There is also a decision of Madhya Pradesh High Court
In fact, in the decision of a case on May 27, the Madhya Pradesh High Court said that a Muslim man and a Hindu woman cannot marry each other. Neither according to Islamic law nor under the Special Marriage Act. The High Court even said that the marriage of a Muslim man and a Hindu woman, in which both follow their respective religions after marriage, cannot be valid. However, questions are also being raised about this decision of the High Court. Analysts believe that this decision is against the objectives of implementing the Special Marriage Act.
