SC status only for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs: top court
The Supreme Court ruled that a person professing a religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism cannot be considered a Scheduled Caste (SC) member. Conversion to any other religion results in immediate and complete loss of SC status, regardless of birth. The court invoked Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which mandates this religious restriction. The ruling came in an appeal filed by Chinthada Anand, a Hindu-Madiga (SC) convert to Christianity, whose criminal proceedings under the SC/ST Act were quashed. The court clarified that "profess" implies public declaration and practice of a religion, not just personal belief, and outlined conditions for re-conversion.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court ruled that SC status is limited to individuals professing Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism.
- Conversion to any other religion leads to an immediate and complete loss of Scheduled Caste status, irrespective of birth.
- The judgment invoked Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which explicitly states this religious restriction.
- The court emphasized that "profess" means publicly declaring and practicing a religion, not merely holding a private conviction.
- Reconversion to one of the specified religions requires cumulative and conclusive proof of earlier caste, bona fide reconversion, and acceptance by the original community.
Exam Facts
- The ruling is based on Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.
- Sikh religion was added to Clause 3 in 1956, and Buddhism in 1990.
- The case involved an appeal by Chinthada Anand, a Hindu-Madiga (SC) convert to Christianity.
- The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989 was mentioned in the context of the case.
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