A high court in India's Uttar Pradesh ruled that interfaith marriages without religious conversion are illegal. The Allahabad High Court declared the decision while giving a verdict on Saturday (July 26) in a petition related to the alleged kidnapping and marriage of a minor girl at an Arya Samaj temple. The petition was filed by Sonu alias Sahnoor, who had appealed against the criminal charges against him. He denied the charges, saying he had married the girl, now an adult, at an Arya Samaj temple, and they were living together.&nbsp;Justice Prashant Kumar rejected the man's plea, noting that the marriage certificate issued by an Arya Samaj temple involving a minor was in violation of legal norms. The court rejected the plea to cancel the criminal charges against the man charged with allegedly kidnapping and marrying a minor. The ruling targets institutions like Arya Samaj temples, which, the court noted, have been indiscriminately issuing marriage certificates, often for a fixed fee, without adhering to legal formalities.&nbsp;Furthermore, the court directed the Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary to initiate a probe into Arya Samaj institutions that issue marriage certificates to underage couples or interfaith couples without conversion. The court asked for a compliance report by August 29.<h2>What is an Arya Samaj marriage?</h2>Arya Samaj marriage is a Hindu wedding done on the principles of Arya Samaj - a reformist movement that promotes simplicity and Vedic rituals. The Arya Samaj wedding avoids any elaborate customs and rituals and only focuses on core Vedic rites like the sacred fire (Agni) and the chanting of hymns.&nbsp;Notably, Arya Samaj marriages are legally recognised under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955. "After receiving the certificate, no one can harm you legally and cannot challenge your into the court of law," the website assures.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Allahabad High Court said that an interfaith marriage without religious conversion is illegal in India. The court also directed to launch of a probe into the Arya Samaj temple that issues marriage certificates illegally. 

A high court in India's Uttar Pradesh ruled that interfaith marriages without religious conversion are illegal. The Allahabad High Court declared the decision while giving a verdict on Saturday (July 26) in a petition related to the alleged kidnapping and marriage of a minor girl at an Arya Samaj temple. The petition was filed by Sonu alias Sahnoor, who had appealed against the criminal charges against him. He denied the charges, saying he had married the girl, now an adult, at an Arya Samaj temple, and they were living together. Justice Prashant Kumar rejected the man's plea, noting that the marriage certificate issued by an Arya Samaj temple involving a minor was in violation of legal norms. The court rejected the plea to cancel the criminal charges against the man charged with allegedly kidnapping and marrying a minor. The ruling targets institutions like Arya Samaj temples, which, the court noted, have been indiscriminately issuing marriage certificates, often for a fixed fee, without adhering to legal formalities. Furthermore, the court directed the Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary to initiate a probe into Arya Samaj institutions that issue marriage certificates to underage couples or interfaith couples without conversion. The court asked for a compliance report by August 29. What is an Arya Samaj marriage? Arya Samaj marriage is a Hindu wedding done on the principles of Arya Samaj - a reformist movement that promotes simplicity and Vedic rituals. The Arya Samaj wedding avoids any elaborate customs and rituals and only focuses on core Vedic rites like the sacred fire (Agni) and the chanting of hymns. Notably, Arya Samaj marriages are legally recognised under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955. "After receiving the certificate, no one can harm you legally and cannot challenge your into the court of law," the website assures.

The Allahabad High Court said that an interfaith marriage without religious conversion is illegal in India. The court also directed to launch of a probe into the Arya Samaj temple that issues marriage certificates “illegally”.&nbsp;

Interfaith marriage without converting religion is illegal, says Allahabad High Court. Here's why

Police in the west Indian state of Maharashtra on Sunday (May 12) charged five people for allegedly assaulting a Muslim woman for dating a Hindu man. The 26-year-old Muslim woman was allegedly attacked by a group of men who questioned her relation with a 45-year-old Hindu man, identified as Ashok Reddy, an auto driver and resident of Basavakalyan in Bidar district, the police said.

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The incident happened two weeks ago and came to light after it went viral on social media.

Police inspector Ambarish Vagmode informed, “The incident took place two weeks ago at a park on the outskirts of Basavakalyan town. We have received a complaint from auto driver Ashok Reddy, a native of Basavakalyan, who was accompanying the woman. We have booked five persons on Sunday under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation). We have identified the accused, and a search is underway to arrest them.”

<h2>Assault on interfaith couples&nbsp;</h2>

In&nbsp;another incident, on January 20, an interfaith couple in Haveri district was reportedly harassed by a group of nine people. A Muslim woman and a Hindu man, were allegedly attacked while talking at the Byadagi bus stand. Following a complaint, police arrested all nine individuals and charged them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

While in a third such incident reported on January 8, in Hanagal, in Haveri district itself, seven people were accused of assaulting an interfaith couple in a hotel room.

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Later, the accused were arrested.&nbsp;

According to the 26-year-old victim, the assailants verbally abused the couple and physically assaulted them and even filmed the woman, who attempted to shield her identity with a burqa. The woman alleged that she was subjected to gang rape by the group.

(With inputs from agencies)

Police in the west Indian state of Maharashtra on Sunday (May 12) charged five people for allegedly assaulting a Muslim woman for dating a Hindu man. The 26-year-old Muslim woman was allegedly attacked by a group of men who questioned her relation with a 45-year-old Hindu man, identified as Ashok Reddy, an auto driver and resident of Basavakalyan in Bidar district, the police said.

Police in the west Indian state of Maharashtra on Sunday (May 12) charged five people for allegedly assaulting a Muslim woman for dating a Hindu man. The 26-year-old Muslim woman was allegedly attacked by a group of men who questioned her relation with a 45-year-old Hindu man, identified as Ashok Reddy, an auto driver and resident of Basavakalyan in Bidar district, the police said. Also read: Delhi bomb threat: Several hospitals, airports receive threatening emails after scare at schools The incident happened two weeks ago and came to light after it went viral on social media. Police inspector Ambarish Vagmode informed, “The incident took place two weeks ago at a park on the outskirts of Basavakalyan town. We have received a complaint from auto driver Ashok Reddy, a native of Basavakalyan, who was accompanying the woman. We have booked five persons on Sunday under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation). We have identified the accused, and a search is underway to arrest them.” Assault on interfaith couples In another incident, on January 20, an interfaith couple in Haveri district was reportedly harassed by a group of nine people. A Muslim woman and a Hindu man, were allegedly attacked while talking at the Byadagi bus stand. Following a complaint, police arrested all nine individuals and charged them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). While in a third such incident reported on January 8, in Hanagal, in Haveri district itself, seven people were accused of assaulting an interfaith couple in a hotel room. Also read: UP man shoots mother dead, attacks wife with hammer, throws 3 children off roof before killing self Later, the accused were arrested. According to the 26-year-old victim, the assailants verbally abused the couple and physically assaulted them and even filmed the woman, who attempted to shield her identity with a burqa. The woman alleged that she was subjected to gang rape by the group. (With inputs from agencies)

Police book 5 for attacking Muslim woman over interfaith relationship in India's Maharashtra

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