Chandigarh July 18, 2023
Department of Laws, Panjab University hosted concluding ceremony on the theme “NRI Marriages- Do’s and Dont’s – A Way Forward’ in collaboration with National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi. At the behest of the Ministry of External Affairs, an initiative was taken by the National Commission for Women, concerning the rising number of fraudulent NRI marriages in Punjab and a project funded by NCW was entrusted to the Department of Laws, Panjab University. In this regard, Department of Laws in collaboration with NCW launched a series of Awareness Programmes across 14 districts of Punjab viz. S.A.S. Nagar Mohali, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Barnala and Amritsar to educate people on the potential risks associated with NRI weddings as well as the relevant legal protections and preventative measures and legal remedies available for victims. Along with conducting an awareness campaign, a survey was also conducted in these 14 districts to identify the problem and recommend suggestions. To facilitate the successful completion of these programs, public institutions of the region were also involved viz., the National Commission for NRI‟s, Punjab State Legal Service Authority, Panchayat, Punjab Police, Gurudwaras and Educational Institutes such as Senior Secondary & Secondary Schools, Universities and Colleges situated in Punjab.
The event was graced by eminent dignitaries Sh. A. Asholi Chalai, Joint secretary, National Commission for Women – Chief Guest of the programme, Prof. (Dr.) Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University – Guest of Honor, Sh. Praveen K. Sinha, IPS ADGP, NRI & Women Wing, Government of Punjab, Sh. Manjinder Singh, District & Sessions Judge-cum- Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, Sh. Praveen Singh, Coordinator, National Commission for Women, Dr. Balwinder Kaur, Assistant Professor, Hidayatullah National Law University, Prof. (Dr.) Devinder Singh, Nodal Officer, Panjab University.
The welcome address was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Devinder Singh, Nodal Prof. (Dr.) Renu Vig, Vice Chancellor spoke on the different aspects relating to NRI marriages and challenges faced by the victims in such marriages. Sh. A. Asholi Chalai, Joint secretary, NCW while addressing the gathering gave an insight on the legal and social challenges faced by the victims to NRI marriages and emphasized on the awareness of public to verify all the relevant documents of intending parties to marriage before entering into such relation. Sh. Praveen K. Sinha, IPS ADGP, NRI & Women Wing, highlighted the role played by police authorities in providing timely assistance to the victims of such marriages and preventing fraud NRI marriages.
Final report was released by the dignitaries on this occasion sharing the results and recommendations of the survey conducted under the supervision of Dr. Balwinder Kaur, Coordinator of survey report on NRI Marriages. Furthermore, 35 resource persons including Chief Coordinators, Coordinators, Principals of different colleges, Advocates from DLSA, DSP’s and SHO’s from Punjab Police, NRI Wing, members of SGPC were awarded certificates of recognition for giving their contribution in the success of 14 awareness programmes.
