We can't compel people to compulsorely registration: Bhardwaj

Ranchi, Jun 25 (UNI) Union Law Minister Hans Raj Bharadwaj today said the government could not compel people to go in mandatory registration of marriages but would create "social awareness" to meet this objective.

''We cannot compel anybody to have marriages registered because of many social factors, including the religious point of view,'' he said, adding they needed to create ''social awareness regarding the importance of the act''.

Mr Bharadwaj, however, saw a silver lining as many educated people were getting their marriages registered besides following religious rituals.

Talking to UNI here, he hoped the process to redefine rape would usher in a "revolutionary change" in the system and said the government would also consider amendments in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to safeguard the women and children who had been the "worst victims". The proposals are with the Union Home Ministry, he said.

UNI PRS SJC VD BD1609