Sikh religious belief allows re-marriage for widows

Claims that the widow of slain storeowner Navtej Singh can never remarry have offended the Indian community.

The Sikh religion in fact specially says re-marriage in the event of the death of a partner is acceptable.

A community source who did not want to be named told Fairfax Media the assertion was an old-fashioned myth.

"This has nothing to do with reality, Sikhs have always allowed remarriage," the source said.

Mr Singh's widow is Mrs Harjinder Kaur who has been left with her three daughters, all aged under five, and her aging grandparents.

In Sikhism the 'Anand Sanskar' sets out the religions matrimonial ceremony and conventions of the ceremony known as Anand Karaj.

It states: "If a woman's husband has died, she may, if she so wishes, finding a match suitable for her, remarry. For a Sikh man whose wife has died, similar ordinance obtains."

It says the second marriage can by solemnised in the same way as the first Anand marriage.

The one prescription on it is that "generally, no Sikh should marry a second wife if the first wife is alive".

Other rules says Sikhs sould marry without "giving thought to the prospective spouse's caste and descent".

A Sikh daughter must be married to a Sikh.

A marriage between a Sikh and a non-Sikh appears to be permitted but cannot have the Anand Karaj.

"No Sikh should accept a match for his/her son or daughter for monetary consideration."

Sikhs trace their religion back to the 15th century and the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

With 26 million followers, it's the world's fifth largest religion.

Sikhs believe in equality of all humans and strongly reject the caste system.

- © Fairfax NZ News