The Crossbill News Desk
In a significant ruling on the scope of Scheduled Caste (SC) entitlements, the Supreme Court of India has upheld a decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, reiterating that individuals who convert to religions outside the specified categories cannot claim SC status or related legal protections.
The verdict, delivered on Tuesday (March 24) by a bench led by P.K. Mishra, affirmed that only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists are eligible for Scheduled Caste recognition under existing constitutional provisions, Live Law reported.
As a result, those who have converted to Christianity or any other religion are not entitled to benefits of affirmative action, nor can they invoke protections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Referring to the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950, the court emphasised that “no person who professes a religion different from Hinduism shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste”, underlining that this provision leaves no room for exceptions.
According to reports, the bench observed that conversion leads to an immediate and complete loss of SC status.
“No statutory benefit, protection or reservation or entitlement under the Constitution or enactment of Parliament or state legislature can be claimed by or extended to any person who, by operation of clause 3, is not deemed to be a member of the Scheduled Caste. This bar is absolute and admits no exception. A person can’t simultaneously profess and practice a religion other than the one specified in clause 3 and claim membership of the Scheduled caste,” the Supreme Court stated.
The case arose from a complaint filed by an individual who had converted to Christianity and later became a pastor. After allegedly being assaulted, the person sought to invoke provisions of the SC/ST Act.
However, in April last year, the Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that the caste system is “alien” to Christianity and quashed the charges under the Act.
With this ruling, the apex court has reinforced the legal position governing caste-based reservations and protections, making it clear that religious conversion outside the recognised categories severs eligibility for Scheduled Caste status under the current constitutional framework.
The verdict, delivered on Tuesday (March 24) by a bench led by P.K. Mishra, affirmed that only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists are eligible for Scheduled Caste recognition under existing constitutional provisions, Live Law reported.
As a result, those who have converted to Christianity or any other religion are not entitled to benefits of affirmative action, nor can they invoke protections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Referring to the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950, the court emphasised that “no person who professes a religion different from Hinduism shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste”, underlining that this provision leaves no room for exceptions.
According to reports, the bench observed that conversion leads to an immediate and complete loss of SC status.
“No statutory benefit, protection or reservation or entitlement under the Constitution or enactment of Parliament or state legislature can be claimed by or extended to any person who, by operation of clause 3, is not deemed to be a member of the Scheduled Caste. This bar is absolute and admits no exception. A person can’t simultaneously profess and practice a religion other than the one specified in clause 3 and claim membership of the Scheduled caste,” the Supreme Court stated.
The case arose from a complaint filed by an individual who had converted to Christianity and later became a pastor. After allegedly being assaulted, the person sought to invoke provisions of the SC/ST Act.
However, in April last year, the Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that the caste system is “alien” to Christianity and quashed the charges under the Act.
With this ruling, the apex court has reinforced the legal position governing caste-based reservations and protections, making it clear that religious conversion outside the recognised categories severs eligibility for Scheduled Caste status under the current constitutional framework.
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