31 May 2024: In a recent ruling, the Madhya Pradesh High Court stated that a marriage between a Muslim man and a Hindu woman is not valid under Muslim personal law, even if registered under the Special Marriage Act. Justice Gurpal Singh Ahluwalia issued this ruling on May 27 while rejecting a plea from an interfaith couple seeking police protection for their marriage.
The couple, who had not intended to convert to each other’s religions, faced opposition from the woman’s family, fearing social boycott. They had sought to marry under the Special Marriage Act, with the woman continuing to practice Hinduism and the man Islam. However, the court noted that such a marriage would be considered an “irregular (fasid) marriage” under Muslim law.
The court emphasized that neither petitioner was willing to convert, nor were they interested in a live-in relationship without marriage. Given these circumstances, the court found no grounds to interfere, resulting in the dismissal of their plea.
This ruling has sparked discussions on the complexities and challenges faced by interfaith couples in India, particularly in navigating personal laws and societal expectations.
