India, Sept. 19 -- The Supreme Court has directed several states and union territories to notify the rules for registering "Anand Karaj" or the Sikh wedding ceremony within a period of four months.

The apex court said that in a secular framework that respects religious identity and ensures civic equality, the law must provide a neutral and workable route for recording and certifying marriages through "Anand Karaj" on the same footing as other marriages.

This comes as several states and union territories have yet to notify the rules for registering a marriage under the Anand Marriage Act 1909, even after the 2012 amendment.

The Anand Marriage Act, recognising "Anand Karaj" as a form of marriage, was initiated under British rule in 1909....