India: Information on forced marriages, in particular, among the Sikhs
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IND15693.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Information on forced marriages, in particular, among the Sikhs, 1 November 1993, IND15693.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abeb1c.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Sources currently available to the DIRB do not refer to forced marriages in Punjab. However, the attached New York Times article provides information on arranged marriages among the Sikhs, while six other attached articles elaborate on forced and arranged marriages in rural and urban areas of India. Finally, the attached sections of Discrimination Against Women and The Indian Penal Code provide information on the role of the Indian legal system in protecting women.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 15 August 1993. "Marriage Agencies a Growth Industry in India." (NEXIS)
The Chicago Tribune. 8 March 1992. Final Edition. Peter Hillmore. "Children for Sale; Thousands of Indian Girls Are Bought in the 'City of Brides'." (NEXIS)
Hidayatullah, M. Justice and R. Deb. 1987. The Indian Penal Code. 26th ed. Nagpur, India: Wadhwa and Company Pvt. Ltd.
The Los Angeles Times. 25 December 1985. Home Edition. Elizabeth Bumiller. "Love, Marriage and Sex India-Style; Parents' Choice of Mate Works Often but There is Change." (NEXIS)
The New York Times. 19 April 1992. Final Edition. Joyce Jones. "For Sikhs, 15,000 Strong, Prosperity in A New Land." (NEXIS)
O'Kelly, Charlotte G. and Larry S. Carney. 1986. Women and Men in Society. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
The Ottawa Citizen. 19 June 1993. Final Edition. Rahul Bedi. "India: Making Men Submit to Forced Marriages; in Bihar Bachelors Are Beaten into Taking a Bride." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 13 June 1993. BC Cycle. Bill Tarrant. "Most Indians Are Meat-Eaters, Survey Finds." (NEXIS)
Rhoodie, Eschel M. 1989. Discrimination Against Women. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Company, Inc.
