'SC/ST status only for Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities'; Apex Court upholds Andhra Pradesh HC ruling

NEW DELHI: Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes who convert to Christianity will not be protected by the SC/ST Act. The Supreme Court also said that once they convert to Christianity, they will lose their SC/ST status. Only the Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities can get Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe status and protection. If they convert to a religion outside these, they cannot be considered as SC/ST or claim that status. This is stated in Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, a bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N.V. Anjaria pointed out.

The Supreme Court made this clear while upholding the Andhra Pradesh High Court verdict that the SC/ST status of Dalits would be lost the moment they convert to Christianity. In the case of a Scheduled Caste certificate, the decision is up to the concerned authorities. The court also clarified that the status or protection will not be availed just because the certificate is not cancelled.

The Supreme Court considered the appeal of Chindada Anand, a pastor from Pittalavanipalem, Andhra Pradesh. The complainant said he faced caste-based abuse and death threats. Subsequently, an FIR was registered under the provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. However, the Andhra Pradesh High Court observed that although the complainant is a Dalit, he lost that status after converting to Christianity. The High Court accepted the argument of the defendant that the SC/ST Act does not exist and quashed the FIR. The pastor then approached the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the complainant converted to Hinduism. But he continued to work as a pastor. Even when he allegedly faced caste-based abuse, he used to offer gospel prayers at home. Therefore, the Supreme Court clarified that he can only be considered a Christian. The pastor's appeal was then dismissed.