DHAKA: The High Court ordered the authorities concerned to use the words unmarried, from now on, replacing the word 'kumari' in kabin nama (Muslim marriage deed) to mention the bride.

The word 'kumari', used for the bride, means state of virginity. 

Moreover, the court ordered to use the words-- married, widowed and divorced for the bridegroom to mention his marital state.

The bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Khijir Ahmed Chowdhury issued the order Sunday (August 25), following hearing of a rule concerned. 
 
ZI Panna Khan and Ainun Nahar Siddiqa moved for the writ plea while lawyer Ishrat Hasan moved for supplementary plea and Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder for the state.
 
Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Trust, Naripokkho and Bangladesh Mahila Parishad filed the writ on September 7, 2014.

The HC then issued a rule asking why the column-5 of marriage deed won't be declared discriminatory and illegal and why the word 'kumari' won't be dropped and the bridegroom's marital state won't be mentioned.
 
Secretaries to public administration and religious ministries and director generals of printing and publication department were made defendants.

BDST: 1644 HRS, AUG 25, 2019
SI/SMS