Madhya Pradesh High Court Issues Landmark Order: Interfaith Marriage Without Conversion Not Valid
In a significant ruling, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has declared that a marriage between a Muslim man and a Hindu woman cannot be recognized without religious conversion.
Deepak 
Bhopal, May 31, 2024: In a significant ruling, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has declared that a marriage between a Muslim man and a Hindu woman cannot be recognized without religious conversion. This judgment was passed by a single-judge bench led by Justice Gurpal Singh Ahluwalia while hearing a petition.
The couple who filed the petition sought permission from the court to get married under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, without converting their religions. They argued that they loved each other and wished to get married, and religion shouldn't be a hurdle.
However, the court dismissed the petition, stating that under Muslim personal law, a Muslim man can only marry a Muslim woman. The court further added that the Special Marriage Act cannot interfere with religious customs.
This verdict comes as a major setback for interfaith couples who desire to marry without religious conversion. It also raises concerns for those who believe in secularism and equality.
Key takeaways from the judgement:
- As per Muslim personal law, a Muslim man can only marry a Muslim woman.
- The Special Marriage Act doesn't have the authority to intervene in religious practices.
- Interfaith couples, especially those with one Muslim partner, might face challenges in getting married without conversion.
This judgement is sparking widespread debate and criticism from legal experts and social activists. While some believe it's discriminatory and should be overturned, others view it as upholding Muslim personal law.
