Surat: A dispute over the religious initiation (diksha) of their seven-year-old daughter has reached the Family Court in Surat, with the father seeking to prevent the ceremony in Mumbai, citing concerns over the child’s well-being. The mother, however, remains determined to go ahead with the diksha, leading to a legal tussle between the couple.

According to Advocate Samapti Mehta, the father, who works in the stock market and resides in the Adajan area of the city, has filed a petition in the Family Court to stop the diksha scheduled on 8th February in Mumbai. The mother has been living separately with the child for the past six months and insists on proceeding with the religious ceremony. The father seeks legal custody of the child and aims to ensure that the child’s interests are protected under the law.

Advocate Mehta added that the father had initially discussed with his wife that the child could undergo diksha at a more mature age. However, the mother insisted on an early ceremony, which led to disputes. The father expressed that the child is too young to make such a spiritual decision independently. He also highlighted that the mother had been taking the child to the in-laws’ house and religious gatherings without his consent. The court has scheduled the next hearing on 22nd December.

In 2021, a similar dispute arose when the mother tried to have their younger son initiated into diksha in Vesu. The father and family had opposed it at that time.

Advocate Mehta emphasized that the legal system will ensure the child’s welfare remains the priority in such matters, and the court will decide based on what is in the best interest of the minor. DeshGujarat