ISLAMABAD The Punjabi government was urged by the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) on Tuesday to move quickly and decisively to put the Hindu Marriage Act of 2017 into effect.
The NCHR released a statement stating that the commission wrote to Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, requesting that Hindu Marriage Registrars—who may also be secretaries of Union Councils—be notified right away.
NCHR Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha stated, “The NCHR Regional Office Lahore is actively engaged with the Chief Secretary’s Office, and a follow-up hearing by Nadeem Ashraf, Member (Punjab), NCHR, is scheduled for the last week of January 2024.”
In the minority group, the statute governs marriage and divorce registration.The statement stated that even though the act is a law, it is also applicable in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan.
“Yet, it has been noted that the aforementioned law was not being put into practice, depriving the Hindu community of their fundamental right to the recording of their unions and dissolutions and the issuance of certificates for child registration.”
The panel demanded that one of the fundamental rights be granted to the Hindu community by putting the act into effect, beginning with the creation of interim regulations such notifying Hindu Marriage Registrars.
“Notices were issued to the secretary local government and community development department in light of the uncertainty surrounding the Administrative Department responsible for implementing the Hindu Marriage Act, 2017.”
“After that, the Punjab government was urged to promptly notify Hindu Marriage Registrars, possibly secretaries of Union Councils, regarding the provision of basic rights to the Hindu Community,” the chief secretary level of the issue was consulted.
The NCHR study finds that there are several layers preventing the legislation from being implemented effectively. The law’s implementation is hampered by the bureaucratic procedures, which are characterized by inefficiency and laziness. A widespread lack of information among all stakeholders exacerbates this problem.
According to the NCHR chairperson, bridging the gap between the act’s execution and legislative intent will require a comprehensive plan going ahead.
“Streamlining bureaucratic processes and establishing efficient registration mechanisms are imperative for ensuring a smooth and effective application of the law.”
“In addition to working with civil society organizations, it is crucial to simultaneously launch comprehensive awareness campaigns and provide sensitization training for officials involved in the registration process to further reinforce accountability and strengthen advocacy for the protection of minority rights,” the speaker continued.
