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Time for a common marriage law

The report “Sikh Marriage Act ready for Cabinet nod” (May 13) by Prabhjot Singh will also open the door for other communities to demand a Marriage Act for them. Traditions and customs followed in different parts of the world may not be the same. However, as the excitement associated with the wedding ceremonies is the same all over, its registration should be common for all communities.

There are different laws and special marriage Acts governing marriages of different religions in India. The Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Parsi and Special Marriage Acts lay down fundamental guidelines to be followed for marriage, eligibility, information on documentation procedure and guidelines to sort out disputes in the case of a marital discord.

There is also tremendous diversity in India. One can witness peaceful co-existence of many different religions and cultures in India. There also exists the freedom to get married with any individual of the opposite gender irrespective of religion and culture as long as the individual is above the legal age of marriage.

I would suggest that instead of making new Acts and amendments, only the Indian Marriage Act should be introduced for the the registration of marriages irrespective of one’s caste, creed and religion. There should only be a column of community at the time of registration of marriage and this would definitely simplify the procedure and no community will have any problem on this account.

HARISH K. MONGA, Ferozepur City

Hope from London

For the first time since World War II, the British government has a ruling coalition between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democratic Party.

Mr Cameron is the youngest Prime Minister Britain has had in 200 years. The credit for getting the Conservatives back to power — and thereby ending 13 consecutive years of Labour rule — goes largely to him.

Though little is known about Mr Cameron’s foreign policy, it is encouraging that he has promised to forge a “new special relationship with India” and even support New Delhi’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. He has even described India as a stable force in an unstable region of the world. Now only time will tell if the new British Prime Minister will be able to translate this optimism into policy.

J.S. ACHARYA, Hyderabad

Traffic hazards

At last CCTV cameras are functional in Chandigarh to check traffic violations. One hopes the footage will be available for scrutiny to the public to find whether or not the major violators that prompt public to follow them like UT buses, police vehicles and VIP cars are booked for violation of traffic rules. Hopefully, horse carts will be off the city roads soon as its deadline of March 31 has passed off without a whimper.

As for speed governors in school buses, they whiz past cars as speedily as ever. It came from the horse’s mouth that a couple of loose bolts do the trick on the buses that have installed them.

And now with political backing, as these buses are being used by political parties with no action taken, it seems strict implementation of speed governors in buses would be a distant dream.

Children’s safety? Who bothers about it? It is the children of aam admi alone who travel in these unsafe buses.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

Checking dowry harassment
Quite often women file FIRs alleging harassment and the demand for dowry when there is a marital discord. Additionally, charges are levied under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. The main idea is to make the maximum financial benefit. Who says women are more honest in their dealings?
There is need to make a compulsory list of dowry/gift items, including cash and other valuable things, received from relatives, friends, et al, and get it registered along with marriage registration within 30 days of marriage with the appropriate authorities in the state concerned. The list must be signed by the family heads of both the bride and the groom with the stamp of a judicial authority. The scanned copy may be filed by email to facilitate simple and automatic acknowledgement. Both families should keep copies of it.
If implemented, this will help reduce the number of court cases. There will be no registration of false cases of dowry and harassment against grooms’ family members.
All cases of dowry/ gifts worth less than Rs 5 lakh should be exempted from the suggested changes in the laws. Also, no case of dowry return shall be accepted if the amount is below Rs 5 lakh.
MAHESH KAPASI, New Delhi