The Supreme Court (SC), overruling a judgment of Mad. HC, has held that ‘Self-respect Marriages’ do not require public solemnization or declaration and that marriage certificate issued by an Advocate thereof is valid. ‘Self-respect Marriage’/ Suyamariyathai/Seerthiruththa is a system of marriage based on Section 7A, inserted by Tamil Nadu State Amendment, in the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, according to which a Suyamariyathai marriage can be solemnized, without following rituals or without solemnization by a priest, by declaring marriage in the presence of relatives, friends or other persons
