In a bold move to safeguard young women and curb deceptive interfaith marriages, the Gujarat government has proposed sweeping changes to its marriage registration laws. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi introduced amendments to the Gujarat Marriage Registration Act, 2006, in the state assembly on February 20, 2026.
The reforms target rising concerns over ‘love jihad’ cases, where individuals allegedly conceal their identities to lure women into relationships. Under the new rules, couples applying for marriage registration must submit a mandatory affidavit declaring whether they have informed their parents. Detailed information—including names, addresses, Aadhaar numbers, and mobile contacts of both sets of parents—will be required.
Assistant registrars will verify applications and notify parents via WhatsApp, email, or other means within 10 working days. This process extends the issuance of marriage certificates to 30-40 days, allowing time for objections and thorough checks. All documents must be uploaded on an online portal, with witnesses’ photos and Aadhaar cards now compulsory.
Sanghvi emphasized that these measures protect daughters’ honor, preserve Sanatan traditions, and maintain social order. He labeled love jihad as a cultural invasion, vowing strict action against those hiding identities—like posing as ‘Suresh’ while being ‘Salim.’ The proposal is open for public feedback for 30 days before finalization.
Gujarat has witnessed multiple incidents where young women were allegedly coerced and taken to other states. Similar demands are echoing in Maharashtra, where reports of Hindu girls being deceived into marriages have spurred calls for identical protections. This legislative push signals a broader effort across states to shield vulnerable youth from exploitation.