High Court questions kabin nama clause

The High Court has issued a rule asking why Clause 5 of the kabin nama (Muslim marriage deed) form should not be declared discriminatory and unlawful. The rule was issued during the hearing of a writ appeal in this regard yesterday, Sunday, by the bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Mohammed Jahangir Hossain.

Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry, Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry, Director General of the Department of Printing and Publications and other concerned quarters have been asked to reply within four weeks.

This clause concerning the bride's marital status, questions if she is maiden (kumari), widowed or divorced. Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust. Naripakkhya and Bangladesh Mahila Parishad submitted this writ on Sunday, objecting to the term 'kumari' and terming the clause as discriminatory. There was no clause regarding the marital status of the groom in the kabin nama form.

Lawyer Ainun Nahar Siddiqui tells Prothom Alo that the kabin nama form only has a clause regarding the bride's marital status and related information, with nothing concerning the groom in this regard. This is discriminatory against women, a violation of Constitution Articles 27, 28, 31 and 32. That is why the writ was filed, she says.