A crackdown on love jihad? Love marriages will be prohibited without informing parents; the Gujarat government has introduced a new marriage draft.:Amid political debate over 'love jihad', a draft amendment to marriage registration rules has been introduced.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Preparations to curb "love jihad" marriages have begun in Gujarat. The Gujarat government is amending the Marriage Registration Act, making it no longer easy to marry for love while concealing one's identity or keeping parents in the dark.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi said in the state assembly that the existing provisions are being misused and the new system will make the process more transparent and secure.

Sanghvi told the House that several social organizations and citizens had demanded that flaws in the marriage registration process be addressed. He referred to "love jihad," calling it a "cultural invasion," and said the government could not ignore the issue.

According to a draft of the new online portal for marriage registration shared by the minister's office, each marriage registration application must be submitted to an assistant registrar. The application must be accompanied by a declaration stating whether the bride and groom have informed their parents about the marriage.

The bride and groom must provide their parents' names, addresses, Aadhaar numbers, and contact details in the application. Upon the Assistant Registrar's satisfaction, the parents will be notified within 10 working days.

The application will be forwarded to the relevant district or taluka registrar, and the marriage will be registered 30 days after confirming that all conditions have been met. Details of the entire process will be uploaded to an online portal to be developed by the government.

The government has invited public objections and suggestions on the proposed amendments for 30 days. These suggestions can be submitted on the Department of Health and Family Welfare's website. Based on the responses received, the final rules will be notified.

Political support and opposition: Aam Aadmi Party MLA Hemant Ahir, who introduced a private bill on the issue, and BJP MLA Lavingji Thakor congratulated the Deputy Chief Minister in the House and said reforms to the current system are the need of the hour. They alleged that anti-social elements exploit procedural loopholes to trap "innocent girls."

However, legal experts say that marriage registration is an administrative process and must be balanced with personal liberty and the right of adults to marry. The Supreme Court has previously recognized the right of adults to marry of their choice as a fundamental right. Therefore, the legality and privacy aspects of the amended rules may also be debated.

Political analysts believe this move could impact social and cultural issues, as well as upcoming electoral dynamics. All eyes are on the government's final rule changes following public consultation.