Christian/Hindu marriage act

Valini

Yep, yet another marriage act thread!

I wanted to know if any of the members (or members' other halves) have changed their religion in order to marry under one of these acts, instead of going for the Special Marriage Act which is usually for mixed religious weddings.

To do so under tha hindu act, you must just be "non, muslim, non christian, non jew ect" and to do so under the Christian act you must "follow the christian religion". So, for those of you concerned by this, was it easier in your country to do so? Was it for family reasons? any experieneces are much appreciated!

V

Nick-H

Please bear in mind that ones rights, grounds for divorce, etc are different (at least in India) under the different acts. This really should be givena few mimutes completely dispassionate thought before proceeding.

Of course, of course of course your dearly beloved (or you, for that matter!) would not divorce their partner becasue they became mentally ill, changed their religion or caught leprosy...

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Valini

thanks for the heads up Nick!
like you said though, the rules are slightly different, but let's be honest, if a couple want to find an excuse to get divorced, they will.... regardless of the act!
For many, it's just a way of legalising the ceremony they partake so that they can share the rest of there life together!

So, if anyone has gone down this road... please share!

capt_mahajan

I agree with Nick. Even if divorce is inevitable and people find a way to walk away, do consider things like property rights and alimony, which are not uniform across religions.

Valini

Very true capt. I have been looking around and I found this:

"Conclusion

It can be concluded that the Indian Christian Marriage Act is comprehensive enough to deal with matters regading solemnisation of marriages among Christians in India when both the parties to the marriage are Christians. But where one of the parties to a marriage in India is a Christian and the other party is a non-Christian the best course to adopt is to solemnise the marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Or in the alternative, if a marriage has been solemnised between a Christian and a non-Christian under the provisions of the Indian Christian Marriage Act, it can be registered again under the provisions of section 15 of the Special Marriage Act of 1954 by way of caution."

from wiki :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christi...age_in_I ndia

Now I know wiki isn't 100% reliable! but It's interesting. It's easier, regarding paperwork and application for the Christian act, so if you can then later get it coverd by the Speical Act, it seems to make sence! PLUS you can do so with two people from different religions!
Perhaps you'll poo poo my findings or show me a better detailed list, but for now I think this is pretty substantial.

capt_mahajan

Not an expert, but I would go with the Special Marriage act part- for all marriages in India. Even ones within the same religion.

Valini

Given the choice, so would I, but due to problems linked with dare I say it 'corruption' and people who like to throw their weight and power around it's not an easy option at the moment (speaking personnaly of course,about my own current situation, not for anyone else), otherwise I wouldn't even be looking at these!
Unfortunately the choice has been taken away from me so I'm grinning, baring it and finding another solution.

Nick-H

Going back to the original question; yes; people have changed their religion, at least for the ceremony --- not so sure about the paperwork.