Good news for lovers - if Delhi relaxes marriage rules

NEW DELHI - Couples facing the heat from khap panchayats for marrying within the same ‘gotra’ or sub-caste may get a helping hand from the Delhi government, which will Monday discuss a proposal to relax marriage registration rules here.

The Delhi cabinet will discuss an amendment to the Delhi Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 1956 which makes it mandatory for a couple to prove that either of them or their in-laws had lived in the capital for at least 30 days before applying for registration of marriage here, the official said Sunday.

If the proposal gets the cabinet nod, couples from other states who tie the knot in the capital will be able to get their marriage registered here even if they don’t have a Delhi address.

A senior official said if the proposal gets the nod, it would be easy for couples to get police protection in case of a threat to their love marriage or any fear of retaliation from their kin.

Cabinet discussion on the issue will take place Monday on the initiation of the Delhi government’s revenue department, which wants the “old conditions” to go.

There have been many cases of honour killings of young couples at the behest of khap panchayats, or caste councils, which oppose marriages within the same gotra.