Are Gurdwara's Breaking The Law?

[DiscoverSikhism]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

UK Sikh gurdwara's are continuing to carry out inter-faith weddings against Akal Takht advice.

The Rehat Maryada states 'Persons professings faiths other than the Sikh faith cannot be joined in wedlock by the anand karaj ceremony.'

So, although the marriages may be legal under UK law, are the marriages recognised under Sikh principles? Are gurdwara masand's breaking the law by conducting marriages under 'false pretences'?

[DiscoverSikhism]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Southall, one of the largest in the UK, are conducting inter-faith marriages during the week to avoid Sangat outrage.

A Gurdwara source said over 75% of recent marriages are those where at least one partner is not Sikh.

Gurdwara Masands are charging £1200 (including path) for the service. However, in a recent twist wedding partners may be able to sue for 'false pretences', which means someone lies or makes misrepresentations to obtain someone else's property (money).

The argument being out forward is that because both individuals are not Sikh, they have not been 'joined in wedlock by the anand karaj ceremony' as per Sikh rules and have been deceived by masands (deceivers). The Gurdwara's could be liable for compensation covering full wedding expenses... Cost of damages would be borne by sangat donations.

Other Gurdwara's notably in Slough and the Midlands, UK do not allow inter-faith marriages.

[DiscoverSikhism]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

A number of lawyers have been contacted and legal advice has suggested that Gurdwara's carrying out inter-faith marriages are at risk of litigation.

Would advise anyone that feels they have been misled by Gurdwara Masands, to seek appropriate legal advice.

[Jivan76]

Bhaiji

"Would advise anyone that feels they have been misled by Gurdwara Masands, to seek appropriate legal advice."

Are you suggesting people SHOULD sue??

[Tera]

A very good point my dad made recently is, are these interfaith marriages even legal?


Each marriage certificate has a section saying: (see example marriage certificate here)

Married in the ....................... according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the .............................

And any Gurdwara that conducts an Anand Karaj fills it out roughly as below:

Married in the Guru Nanak Gurdwara according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Sikh Religion

This legal document signed by Gurdwara committees states the ceremony was conducted to the rites and ceremonies of the Sikh Religion. However we all know, the Sikh stance on this is:

"Persons professings faiths other than the Sikh faith cannot be joined in wedlock by the anand karaj ceremony."

So, are Gurdwaras not complying with Sikh rules breaking the law by falsifying legal documents?

[Shaastar]

Ok fair point I understand Gurdwaras need to do their bit!

But when I grew up, I was not told "oi mundeh stick to your own". It was more like try to do the right thing in your mind, dont forget who you are, it was automatic that you preffered someone with a similar way of life when it came to marriage. We had attension from kurria more so in other creeds, but you either had the dating crowd or the ones that would be like "Save it for marriage". Now that was considered special!

with dating communities are now open to all kinds of issues.

We have so much history heritage sikhi and it works well for us. WHy would anyone want to experiment outside in grey areas where you become susceptiible to compromise to another level?? Just because you might know a work colleague you spend 10 hours with on a shift?

Punjabi families Sikh families (of diverse backgrounds white brown punjabi delhiwaleh) need to open up horizons, change the way parenting done, look at genders equally become functioning members in local communities get to know each other better. Then at least when the kid grows up theres hosslah and hope.

[Jivan76]

So, are Gurdwaras not complying with Sikh rules breaking the law by falsifying legal documents?

Yes they are!!

But I would never encourage ANYONE to get litigious and start suing Gurghar's.

Fix a problem by not attacking its life source, unless your goal is threaten the very existence of what you are trying to save.

I don't have the remedy alas, but that is not it.

Bhul chuk di khema

[Cisco_Singh]

This situation is a result of "pindoo" , "uneducated" commitee members who out of arrogance and the desire to raise money carry on violating Akal Takht hukamnamas.. This coupled with the issue that Akal Takht doesnt have any enforcement powers to punish violaters..so while this is the case corrupt commitee leaders will continue their actions. Sangat members are also to blame..theyre hyprocisy in knowingly violating Anand Karaj regulations to save their own repuation and faces in front of family members is also an issue...

Suing a Gurdwara will just result in wastage of sangats donations, as corrupt members commitees wont pay lega costs for their misparactise from their own pockets..

[Shamshere]

75%? Say it isn't so!

This will only dilute the kaum.

I myself can't imagine marrying someone of another religion.

[S4NGH]

This situation is a result of "pindoo" , "uneducated" commitee members who out of arrogance and the desire to raise money carry on violating Akal Takht hukamnamas.. This coupled with the issue that Akal Takht doesnt have any enforcement powers to punish violaters..so while this is the case corrupt commitee leaders will continue their actions. Sangat members are also to blame..theyre hyprocisy in knowingly violating Anand Karaj regulations to save their own repuation and faces in front of family members is also an issue...

Suing a Gurdwara will just result in wastage of sangats donations, as corrupt members commitees wont pay lega costs for their misparactise from their own pockets..

Pindoo? Come again?