States cannot obstruct interfaith marriages between consenting adults: Supreme Court
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The Supreme Court has declared that state governments have no authority to interfere in interfaith marriages involving consenting adults.
The verdict came as the top court overturned a decision by the Uttarakhand High Court, which had denied bail to a Muslim man who had been imprisoned for six months after marrying a Hindu woman.
The man had faced legal trouble following objections raised by certain right-wing individuals and groups who opposed the interfaith union.
This was despite the fact that both families had approved the marriage and the man had submitted a sworn affidavit stating he would not compel his wife to convert, and she was free to continue practicing her religion.
A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma granted bail to the man and emphasised that, “The respondent-state cannot have any objection to the appellant and his wife residing together since they have been married as per the wishes of their respective parents and families.”
The court reinforced that the state has no role in matters where two consenting adults from different religious backgrounds choose to marry or live together.
