Pakistani Hindus show concerns on controversial clause of Marriage Act

Lahore: The Hindu community across the country has shown their serious concerns on the recently-presented Hindu Marriage Act in which it is proposed that due to religion conversion, Hindu marriage would be terminated.

According to details, a Hindu delegation consisting of prominent personalities from social and business sector, has called on Patron-in-chief of Pakistan Hindu Council and Member of National Assembly, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, on Saturday.

The delegation, which included Dileep Kumar Advocate from Sindh, Rajesh Kumar from Rahim Yar Khan Punjab, Chandi Ram from Balochistan, and others, lauded the restless struggle of Dr. Ramesh Vankwani for the Hindu Marriage Bill.

On the occasion, Dr. Ramesh Vankwani, terming the act as part of basic human rights, said that it was demand of peaceful Hindu community since the formation of Pakistan, and now when the historical struggle is going to be successful, the controversial clause 12(iii) has been included. “There is no concept of divorce in the Hindu religion,” he said, however adding that in the context of present scenario, an option for the marriage termination has been proposed by him. “After the whole separation process of two years, the marriage could be terminated and each individual would be independent for taking decisions, including the conversions,” he expressed.

Dr. Ramesh Vankwani was of the view that the objectable clause 12(iii) would be misused for inhuman forced conversions which should be condemned and stopped at any cost. According to Clause 12(iii), the marriage could be terminated due to conversion to another religion.

Dr. Ramesh vowed to keep raising the voice in the both houses of the parliament, and all forums available to ensure the protection of Hindu rights. The participants also asked the Hindu MNA to play his due role for mobilizing the media and civil society in this regard. “Next week, I would start meeting with the leading political leaders, and civil society activists, to seek their cooperation,” Dr. Ramesh Vankwani concluded, while hoping that the act would be passed by next month.