Govt to SC: Uniform adoption norms being worked on

The submission came during the hearing of a PIL filed by activist Shabnam Hashmi who had sought enactment of a new legislation contending that in India, only Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs could adopt a child under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956. Making his submission before the Bench, Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium said: 8220;We are examining the guidelines that could be evolved with due consideration of the susceptibilities and sensibilities of personal laws.8221;

The Ministry of Women and Child Development in its response, however, clarified there is no bar on people from other religions.

In its affidavit, it stated, 8220;The Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act, 2000 and the guidelines for in-country adoption 2004 and ones issued in 2006 cover all children as well as parents irrespective of their religion and sex. Hence, further guidelines or legislation in this regard are not necessary.8221;