Hindu marriage bill ready for parliamentary nod

Proposed law to be introduced in upcoming session

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first-ever proposed law to protect family rights of its minority Hindus community is likely to be tabled in the National Assembly in August.

The bill related to marriages of Hindus in Pakistan has been thoroughly dissected by the Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights. The proposal was put forward by PML-N MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani.

When contacted, Committee Chairperson Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk said the bill had been forwarded to the National Assembly.

In its earlier meetings, the panel developed consensus on the bill except for the controversial Clause 12(iii), which states a marriage will stand dissolved if any of the spouses converted to another religion. According to MNA Virk, the clause violated basic human rights of the Hindus living in Pakistan.

His aim to introduce the Hindu Marriage Registration Bill, 2014, is to address the issue of non-existence of a legal mechanism for registration of Hindu marriages in Pakistan. Since Pakistan’s independence, no such law has been framed to protect family rights of Hindus.

“Hindus are the largest religious minority in Pakistan but have failed to register their marriages due to the absence of a relevant law. This results in complications for the community and makes them vulnerable to exploitation,” reads the statement of objects and reasons of the proposed law.

“Hindus cannot prove their marriage within the country and abroad while Hindu wives are unable to claim property of their deceased husbands. In such a scenario, it is imperative to enact a law to protect Hindu marriages in Pakistan and to provide a mechanism for registration of marriages solemnised by Hindu citizens of Pakistan and other relevant matters.”

Dr Vankwani told The Express Tribune there was no concept of a divorce in Hinduism but he had proposed an option for marriage termination. “Following the process of separation for two years, the marriage can be terminated and each individual will be independent to take decisions, including the conversion [to another religion],” he added.

The legislator said the controversial Clause 12(iii) would be misused or manipulated for forced conversions, which should be discouraged.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2016.