Supreme Court
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
The Supreme Court on Monday pronounced an important order in a case related to Tamil Nadu. The court said that under the amended Hindu Marriage Act in Tamil Nadu, lawyers can solemnize ‘suyamariyathai’ (self-respect) marriages between two adults with mutual consent. The Tamil Nadu government amended the provisions of the law in 1968 to legalize Suymaryathai marriages. Its purpose was to simplify the marriage process and eliminate the necessity of Brahmin priests, the sacred fire and the Saptapadi (seven steps). However, these marriages were required to be registered as per the law.