'Inform parents': Gujarat may tweak marriage norms
Times of India
by TNNFebruary 20, 2026
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Gujarat's BJP government has proposed new amendments to marriage registration rules, requiring couples to inform their parents before getting married—a move branded as an "anti-love jihad" initiative. The proposal, introduced by Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, aims to prevent fraudulent marriages where individuals pretend to be from different communities to deceive or trap innocent girls. Under the draft rules, couples must submit a declaration stating whether they have informed their parents about their marriage plans. Assistant registrars will then notify parents electronically, including through WhatsApp, or via physical communication. After verification, registration will be granted within 30 days, with all details uploaded to a government portal.
The proposed changes were welcomed by the AAP, which described them as long overdue and necessary to address loopholes in existing rules. However, legal experts have raised concerns, arguing that the new norms may violate constitutional rights guaranteed under Article 21, particularly the right to privacy and personal freedom. Critics also fear that parental objections could influence marriage registration decisions, potentially leading to litigation.
The move has been driven by allegations of fraudulent nikaah certificates issued in Gujarat's Panchmahal
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026