Love, Law and Control

Young adults seeking to marry out of love now face a formidable legal barrier in Gujarat. A new law enforces parental approval as a precondition. Social activists say it extinguishes women's choice, reinforces caste

- By Jumana Shah

YOU CAN BE ROMEO AND I'LL BE JULIET, but in Gujarat, the parents must abet. Or so it will be if a controversial proposal to amend the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act, 2006, goes through. In the second quarter of the 21st century, it's the parents of lovelorn couples who get to say 'yes'! Or, far more likely, 'no'. The draft bill requires couples wishing to marry of their own will to upload their parents' government ID cards on an official portal with their contact details, stating on record whether their parents have consented to the union or not. The registrar's office will notify parents of both bride and groom within 10 working days. It will also scrutinise all documents. The marriage can be registered only 30 days after the application.