Guwahati/New Delhi, March 25: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has reaffirmed that individuals who convert to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism are not eligible to be recognised as members of the Scheduled Castes under Indian law.
A bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N.V. Anjaria upheld a decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, stating that a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste community loses their SC status “immediately and completely” upon conversion to a religion not specified under the relevant constitutional framework.
The Court emphasised that no statutory benefits, protections, or reservations provided under the Constitution or any parliamentary or state legislation can be extended to individuals who are not deemed Scheduled Caste members under Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950.
It described this restriction as “absolute” and without exception. “A person cannot simultaneously profess and practice a religion other than those specified and claim membership of the Scheduled Caste,” the bench observed.
The ruling stems from an April 30, 2025 judgment by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which held that individuals who convert to Christianity and actively practice the faith cannot retain Scheduled Caste status. The High Court noted that the caste system is not recognised within Christianity and therefore such individuals are barred from invoking protections under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In the case at hand, the High Court had quashed charges filed under the Act by a complainant who had converted to Christianity. Challenging this decision, the individual—identified as a pastor—approached the Supreme Court.
Dismissing the appeal, the apex court reiterated that the 1950 Order clearly mandates the loss of Scheduled Caste status upon conversion to any religion not listed under Clause 3, regardless of the individual’s birth, reinforcing that the prohibition is unequivocal.
