Sikhism In India Is Not Even Recognized As Separate Religion According to Article 25b.

(this source took from https://historum.com/threads/why-sikhism-and-buddhism-are-not-accepted-as-separate-religions-in-indian-constitutio.58374/ ) The Indian Constitution does not recognize sikhs and Buddhist marriage traditions as separate from Hindu traditions and there are bills pending in parliament to rectify that. Other than that AFAIK the constitution does not worry about specific statuses to religions, as it aims to be a secular document. Muslims and other religions are NOT accorded any special treatment in the Constitution, except with regards to Marriage and property inheritance. There are other laws which occasionally discriminate in favor of Muslims, and there are calls for Muslim reservations, but nothing in the constitution itself.

The constitution is not a treatise on religion and history, and makes no mention of the origins of ANY religion, let alone hinduism. There are some concerns raised that Sikhs deserve provisions since their marriage systems are unique from hindu marriage system, and thus they need a separate Sikh Marraige and Family Act.

Buddhism on the other hand has no unique marriage practices that would require them to be classified separately from Hindus. the constitution is a legal document, as are the various Marriage and Family Laws and Acts. If there are reasons for Buddhist marriage practices to be separated, then there will be a bill presented at some point.

The separate marriage and family laws for Hindus and Muslims has often been criticized however, with many legal analysts arguing that there should be only ONE civil marriage act and one civil law regardless of religion, and the state should not interfere in the religious practices of marriage and other such beliefs as long as they do not interfere with the administration of justice (this is because while the ban on dowry is technically an interference in religious activity, it is still necessary and should be imposed regardless of religion)

ticker said

Recently, I was sitting with some Sikh friends of mine and was surprised when they stated that Indian constitution does not accept Sikh religion as a separate religion but, an off-shoot of Hinduism. The hurt and anger of Sikhs in India notwithstanding, it indeed was a surprise. As I read more about it, more surprises came my way when I found out that even Buddhism is also not accepted as a separate religion in the Indian constitution and is also strapped with the same definition of it being an off-shoot of Hinduism.

It is even more surprising that there is a Sikh Prime Minister in India and even he can not have his religion accepted as a separate religion in India. What is the history of this denial in accepting Sikhism, Buddhism and even Jainism, as off-shoots of Hinduism and not separate religions as these are accepted the world over as distinct and separate religions.

Comments of Sikh and Buddhist members may indeed be more revealing.