The Allahabad High Court has issued a significant directive to the Uttar Pradesh government, mandating that individuals who convert to Christianity must automatically lose their Scheduled Caste (SC) benefits. The court warned that failure to enforce this would constitute a "fraud on the Constitution" and go against the fundamental principles of India's reservation policies.
The Legal Basis and Court's Directive
Justice Praveen Kumar Giri, in his order dated November 21, anchored the ruling in Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. This provision explicitly states that only individuals who are Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist can be recognized as members of a Scheduled Caste community. The court emphasized that Christianity does not have a caste system, and therefore, retaining SC status after conversion equates to fraudulently claiming benefits meant for a specific social group within the Indian framework.
The bench has instructed the Principal Secretary of the Minorities Welfare Department to take necessary steps to ensure a strict distinction is maintained between minority and SC status. Furthermore, the court has set a strict timeline of four months for all District Magistrates across Uttar Pradesh to identify and prevent instances where converted individuals continue to avail SC benefits.
Case Background: The Petition That Triggered the Ruling
Justice Giri passed this landmark order while dismissing a plea filed by Jitendra Sahani, who was accused of mocking Hindu deities and promoting enmity. Sahani had approached the court seeking to quash the charge sheet against him, arguing that he had sought official permission to "preach the words of Jesus Christ on my land."
During the proceedings, a critical contradiction emerged. The court noted that Sahani had mentioned his religion as "Hindu" in his affidavit, despite having converted to Christianity. It was revealed that Sahani originally belonged to an SC community before his conversion. A witness in the case alleged that Sahani had ridiculed the Hindu faith by claiming it offered no respect due to caste hierarchies, while embracing Christianity would lead to "jobs, business growth, and financial benefits from the missionaries."
Broader Implications and Supreme Court Precedent
The Allahabad High Court's decision reinforces a consistent legal position on this sensitive issue. Justice Giri referenced a recent Supreme Court judgment – C Selvarani Vs Special Secretary-cum-District Collector (2024) – where the apex court bench held that a person ceases to belong to a particular caste after converting to Christianity.
This ruling is poised to have wide-ranging administrative and social consequences. It places the onus on state authorities to rigorously verify the religious status of SC certificate holders and to implement mechanisms that automatically trigger the cessation of benefits upon conversion to a religion not recognized under the SC Order. The four-month deadline adds urgency to this process, compelling district administrations across Uttar Pradesh to act swiftly.
