Parental Consent In Love Marriages? What Gujarat CM Said In Response To Patidar Community's Demand

The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, has expressed his government's intention to explore the feasibility of implementing a system that requires parental approval for love marriages, provided it aligns with the Constitution.

Patel said this in response to a request from certain factions of the Patidar community. This happened at an event organised by the Sardar Patel Group, a representative organisation of the Patidar community, held in Mehsana on Sunday (30 July).

The Chief Minister said, "(State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel) told me to look afresh and carry out a study into the incidents of elopement of girls so as to see if there is a possibility of (mandatory) consent of parents into (love marriages). If the Constitution supports it, then we will carry out a study regarding this and try to get the best result for this," he said.

A legislator of the opposition Congress party has said he would support any such legislation introduced by the government in the assembly.

"At a time when parents are neglected in love marriages, the government is thinking of creating a specific system regarding love marriages that is constitutionally feasible," MLA Imran Khedawala said.

In 2021, the Gujarat government made amendments to the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, which imposes penalties for forced or fraudulent religious conversions through marriage.

Under the revised Act, individuals found guilty can face imprisonment for a maximum of 10 years.

Following the Gujarat High Court's decision to suspend certain controversial sections of the Act, the Supreme Court received a challenge to this order, which is currently pending.