The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed a grama panchayat secretary to register the marriage of a couple and issue certificate. The commission was acting on a complaint from a Valiyarathala native who is employed with the Border Security Force.
The couple had got married against the wishes of their parents who had objected to the inter-caste alliance.
The grama panchayat secretary had not registered the wedding following a complaint from the parents.
The complainant had got married at the Chellamangalam temple on May 12 in the presence of his friends and temple office-bearers as per Hindu rituals. He applied for a marriage certificate to the Vilavoorkkal panchayat secretary but was denied.
The certificate was to get allotment of quarters in his workplace. The complainant said both families had opposed the marriage on the grounds of caste.
The commission had sought an inquiry report from the panchayat deputy director. The report said registration procedures would be initiated only if the registrar was convinced that there was nothing suspicious about a marriage, birth, or death. However, the complainant informed the commission that the marriage invitation, his SSLC book and Aadhaar card had been submitted to the panchayat.
Forged documents
The report said the inquiry found that the documents submitted by the complainant were forged and the parents had submitted an application seeking that the marriage not be registered.
The complainant submitted to the commission the marriage certificate issued by the temple authorities, besides a receipt for ₹120 from the temple and photographs of him tying the knot.
The commission said that not registering the marriage for the sole reason that it was opposed by the families was a violation of human rights.
The couple had got married as per Hindu rites. However, the panchayat secretary’s move not to register the marriage amounted to denial of justice.
It asked the official to register the marriage and issue the certificate as soon as the commission order was received.
