THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE IN RESOLVING FAMILY DISPUTES

Abstract

Religious organizations take center stage when it comes to solving family conflicts across the varied socio-cultural environment. Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Islamic councils, Christian parish committees, Hindu panchayat, and Sikh gurdwara committees are alternative mediating bodies that supplement the formal justice system and provide mediation and reconciliation services to family and marriage conflicts, inheritance issues, and domestic matters. This study explores the challenges in the form of inadequate recognition, different standards among the many religious traditions, and the issue of gender justice. The paper proposes a framework within which religious dispute resolution mechanisms can be incorporated into the justice system.