Sirdar Gurtej Singh Chandigarh weites to the MPs, Lok Sabha

Sirdar Gurtej Singh Chandigarh

weites to the MPs, Lok Sabha

Urgent for Legislative purposes

To: The Honourable

Member Lok Sabha

From: Gurtej Singh,                                                                          

742, Sector 8,

Chandigarh                                                                                 

(094178-71742)

Subject: Suggestions regarding the Sikh Marriage Act under active consideration of the parliament

April 28, 2012

Dear

One is generally aware that a Sikh Marriage Act is under consideration of the parliament. The shape, scope and content of the proposal is a mystery, as contrary to general practice nothing about it has been made public officially. It was suspected from certain hints appearing in the Media that a provision for registration alone was to be added to the skeletal Anand Marriage Act of 1909. This matter was widely debated in the visual and print media and the general opinion that emerged from the exercise was that the resultant product would be grossly inadequate. In that form it would serve almost no purpose expected of the legislation by the Sikhs since 1955.

The Sikhs are a distinct people representing a distinguishable culture. They expect the country’s parliament to enact a personal law for them that would reflect the ground reality.

Last evening at about 5 PM, I received a call from Sardar Tarlochan Singh ex-MP. It became known that he was the prime mover of the proposed legislation and the worst fears that it is severely limited in scope came to be known. As feared the proposal merely aims at adding a provision for registration.

Sardar Tarlochan Singh revealed that he has consulted certain persons before framing the proposal. It was found that the persons consulted by him had no knowledge of law or the Sikh culture but were peripheral or nominated members of certain management committees and institutions, notoriously ill-equipped to give opinion on such matters.

I wish to bring it to your kind notice that this is grossly inadequate and will not afford any material or psychological comfort to the Sikh people. A marriage law needs to define the ceremony, the parties thereto and has to provide for other situations related to the institution of marriage. A more comprehensive law is necessary.

In December 2007, an exercise was done to draft a model Sikh Marriage Bill. It has been closely scrutinised by some of the well known legal luminaries and has been approved by them

unreservedly. I have the honour to send a draft of the comprehensive proposal for your consideration and approval. If desired it may be circulated for wider consultation. I am certain each MP moves in a circle of well informed jurists who will be in a position to give opinion on the draft Bill. Since all our MPs are so well informed on matters pertaining to Sikh culture and customs, they will be able to make choices that represent the general will of the Sikh people.

The proposed bill is just a draft. It may kindly be used with or without amendments to augment the proposal pending before the parliament for consideration. If used thus it may go a long way in transforming the exercise in futility that is about to be undertaken, into a worthwhile venture.

I dare to encroach on your valuable time in the fond belief that this communication may help you in some slight degree to perform your duties to the people of the country a wee bit better.

Yours sincerely,

(Gurtej Singh)