India is a land of many culture and religion. So it
is important to remember the various legalities involved in marriages of
different religion and community. India being a cosmopolitan country
accepts personal laws of its citizen. As a result each citizen of India
is entitled to have his own personal laws in the matter of marriage and
divorce. It is important to remember that all marriages should be
registered to make it legal. It is a compulsory rule. There are
different rules and regulations for different religions. Like there are
Hindu Marriage Act, Muslim Marriage Act, and Christian Marriage Act and
for the Parsee there is Parsee Marriage and Divorce Act. In case of the
Hindus they are governed by the
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which
provides for the conditions of a Hindu marriage where under the
bridegroom should be the age of 21 years and bride of 18 years, they
both should be Hindus and should not be within the degree of prohibited
relationship. Divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 can be obtained
on the various grounds. Muslims also have their own personal law, which
states that Nikah or marriage is a contract and may be permanent or
temporary and permits a man four wives if he treats all of them equally.
Similarly for the Parsees there is a
Parsee Marriage & Divorce
Act, 1939, which governs the provisions of their marriage and law
and for Indian Christian there is a
Indian Christian Marriage Act
1889. Persons of any religion who get married under the Special
Marriage Act, 1954 are governed by the said act. Those who get married
under a civil marriage or no formal marriage ceremony marry under the
Special Marriage Act, 1954; do not need to take any further
legal steps because in this case registration is itself the marriage
ceremony. So whatever be your religion it is important to legalize your
marriage ceremony. India being a tolerant and unbiased country there is
place for every community and religion as personal laws of every
religion states the rules and regulations to be followed while marriage.
