Minister Mohsin Raza gets marriage registered
Raza says the decision is in the interest of the country
Setting an example, state minister for minority affairs Mohsin Raza got his marriage registered on Thursday.
Raza’s move came two days after the Uttar Pradesh cabinet gave its nod to the UP Marriage Registration Guidelines (2017) that makes registration mandatory for marriages in all religions.
Hailing the Yogi Adityanath government’s move of making marriage registrations mandatory, Raza said the decision was in the interest of the country.
Raza, the lone Muslim minister in the BJP government, reached the District Magistrate’s office with his wife Fauzia Sarwar Fatima and parents to get his marriage registered.
Raza was married to Fatima 16 years ago.
The registration was done at the office of the additional district magistrate (ADM), civil supplies.
“Those who are opposing the government’s decision will continue to do so as they don’t have anything else to do. I appeal to the people to get their marriages registered to secure their future,” he said.
Clerics and Muslim bodies have also supported the decision.
President of the All-India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) Shaista Amber said the move would not only minimise the cases of fraud but would also add social security to the people. “I have come across several cases of fraud where men married more than one woman. The decision will put a check on such cases,” Amber said.
She said the marriage certificate would provide social security not only to women but also to men and children.
“Marriage registration certificate will help people in fighting legal battles and claiming legal rights,” she said.
The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) also supported the decision but said unregistered marriage should not be be considered null and void.
“We are not against the government’s move but we have come to know that unregistered marriages would be considered as null and void which is not acceptable,” said Imam-e-Eidgah and a member of All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali.