HIV+ marriage hits the block at Registrar's office

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THE PAPER SCOURGE

BY PREETU NAIR

preetu_nair@...

PANJIM: Marriages are made in heaven but getting the marriage registered on

earth is an arduous task if you say, " We do " and parents

say, " You don't " . The ordeal just gets harder if you are HIV positive

and the partner negative.

Ramesh and Reena realised that there are more clouds and less

rainbows in the sky of love soon after their marriage on January 26,

2006 in Vasco.

Rajeev married Reena in a temple in Goa, aware of the fact that she

was afflicted with HIV virus. However, even after ten months of

marriage they are still struggling to get their marriage registered.

The official reason given to them at the office of marriage registrar

was, " You have already married in the temple, so you can't now get

your marriage registered " .

It's another matter that the Supreme Court has clearly stated that

all marriages, irrespective of their religion, should be compulsorily

registered.

The unofficial reason according to the couple: They married against

Ramesh's parent's wish. Ramesh reveals that when they were trying to

get the marriage registered, his parents with the help of a talathi

created problems for them.

" My parents are opposed to the marriage because Reena is HIV

positive, a Kannadiga and a widow. However, I love her and am happy

that I married her. Besides we have got all the necessary documents.

But that is not enough to get our marriage registered, " said Ramesh, a

local lad.

Reena was tested HIV positive in 2001, when she went for a medical

check-up before going abroad for job. She contracted the virus from

her first husband, who expired in 2003. to my life, " revealed Reena.

" When I proposed to her, she refused. But when I insisted, she

revealed her HIV status and said that she didn\'t want to marry me

because I may also get infected. However, I was determined and we went

for counselling, wherein we were told about the precautions we need to

take. Finally she said yes, " admitted Ramesh.

Interestingly, the Supreme Court in its ruling has very clearly

stated that if a person is suffering from any communicable venereal

disease then it\'s their moral and legal duty to inform the person with whom the

marriage is proposed that he/she was not physically healthy and suffering from a

disease which was likely to be communicated to the partner.

" It is the duty of a person living with HIV to inform the other

partner about their status and inform and counsel them about HIV

before marriage. Even after all these, if the partner is willing to

get married and they are major, then they can\'t be denied a marriage

certificate. I am aware about this case and we will definitely follow

up this matter, " said Jaffer Inamdar, HIV/AIDS activist.

When contacted, VG Salkar, State Registrar said, " If all documents

are okay, then the sub-registrar can immediately file for a

declaration. "

Well, till that happens, Ramesh and Reena will be husband and wife in

spirit but not on paper.

(Name of the couple has been changed to maintain confidentiality)

---------------------

Preetu Nair

Senior Reporter

Gomantak Times

St.Inez, Panaji

Goa-403 001

India

http://goadourada.blogspot.com/

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