Right to adoption should not be linked to religion: Sachar

New Delhi, Feb 9 (PTI) Former Delhi High Court Chief Justice Rajinder Sachar, who headed a panel to look into the condition of minorities, today said the right to adoption, which has no legal sanctity under Muslim personal law, should not be linked to religion but looked at from a human angle. "In my view, right of adoption should not be associated with religion. If the issue is discussed in respect of religion, it may create problems. Adoption is a human need of childless couples," Sachar said at a seminar at Jamia Millia Islamia on adoption laws, minorities and current challenges. He advocated an enabling legislation that will allow anybody the right to adopt a child. But this law should not be compulsory, he added. The seminar, organised by Centre for Dalit and Minority Studies of Jamia Millia Islamia and Delhi-based Centre for Women's Development Studies, is aimed at arriving at a common approach to resolve the issue of adoption among minorities. The Muslim Personal Law does not allow legal adoption, saying it is contrary to Sharia. The Guardianship and Ward Act that governs adoption issues of minorities, only allows guardianship of the child and does not ensure property rights. Speaking at the seminar, Jamia Vice-Chancellor Mushirul Hasan said secular legislations should be the "overriding factor" in governing the society in a country as diverse and pluralistic as in India. PTI

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