The Hindu Marriage Bill

Letter February 13, 2016
Pakistan Hindu Council appreciates the efforts of all stakeholders in the passing of the Hindu Marriage Bill

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hindu Council appreciates the efforts of all stakeholders who made sincere efforts in the passing of the Hindu Marriage Bill by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice. We are especially thankful to the prime minister as his actions reflect a moderate attitude towards the minorities living in Pakistan.

With regard to the Bill, we have only one reservation. A clause of the Bill reads: “Any Hindu Marriage solemnised whether before or after commencement of this Act may, on a petition presented by either the husband or the wife, be dissolved by a decree of divorce on any of the following ground …” A sub clause further reads, “The other party renounced the Hindu Religion [sic] and adopted another one…” as a reason for a divorce. This sub-clause is objectionable as there is potential for it being misused and increase cases of forced conversions. As such, the Hindu community has a great concern over the aforementioned sub-section and would like to push for its removal. It is requested to all stakeholders, parliamentary leaders, MNAs, ministers, senators and especially the prime minister that they kindly delete the sub-clause from the Hindu Marriage Bill.

Deepak Kumar Bhagchandani

General Secretary

Pakistan Hindu Council, Karachi

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2016.

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