60 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(9)
Formalities for a Dharmik marriage
9. Ceremonies. —(1) A Dharmik marriage shall not be complete and binding on the parties unless it is solemnized in accordance with such customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto as are essential for such marriage.
(2) Where such rites and ceremonies include the Saptapadi (that is, the taking of seven steps by the bridegroom and the bride jointly before the sacred fire) the marriage becomes complete and binding when the seventh step is taken.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, no marriage solemnized in the Dharmik form shall, after the solemnization thereof, be deemed to be invalid merely by reason of any irregularity in the performance of any of the customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto.
(10)
10. Registration of Dharmik marriage. —(1) For the purpose of facilitating the proof of any Dharmik marriage the State Government may by rules, provide that—
(a) particulars relating to such marriage shall be entered in such manner and under such circumstances as it thinks fit in the Hindu Dharmik marriage Register kept for this purpose; and
(b) the making of such entries shall be compulsory in the State or in such areas or such cases as may be specified in the rules.
(2) In making any rules under sub-section (1) the State Government may provide that a contravention thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.
(11)
Formalities for a Civil Marriage
11. Marriage Registrars. —The State Government may appoint one or more persons to be Registrars of Hindu Marriages, in this Part referred to as “the Registrar”, for the State or any part thereof and the area for which any such Registrar has been appointed shall be called his district.
(12)
12. Notice of marriage to Registrar. —When a civil marriage is intended to be solemnized under this Part, the parties to the marriage shall give notice thereof in writing in the form specified in the Fourth Scheduled to the Registrar of the district in which at least one of the parties to the marriage has resided for a period of not less than thirty days preceding the date on which such notice is given.