Scheduled Caste status ends due to conversion: The Andhra Pradesh High Court, while hearing a case, has made a big statement about the conversion of the people of the Scheduled Caste community. The court said that if a person of Scheduled Caste converts to convert, then his status of Scheduled Castes also ends. This means that he cannot claim security under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Act.
Christianity does not recognize the caste system.
Justice Harinath made this statement while hearing a petition filed by a person named Akalala Rami, a resident of Guntur district before a single bench of the High Court. Akalla was accused of using caste-related derogatory words against a person named Christian-turned-Christian. Akalla’s lawyer claimed in the court that Chintada claimed that he had adopted the religion of Islam ten years ago. Now since Christianity does not recognize the caste system, the SC-ST law has no meaning.
Justice Harinath said that when Chinta himself is saying that he has been following Christianity for the last 10 years, the police should not have registered a case against the accused under the SC ST Act. Accepting the plea of Akkal’s lawyer, Justice Harinath said that the SC-ST law is for the protection of individuals of these communities, not for the people who convert. After this, Justice Harinath dismissed the case against the accused.
… So his Scheduled Caste status will also be eliminated
It is noteworthy that according to the Scheduled Castes Act 1950, the Constitution has recognized only the Scheduled Caste communities of religions (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists). If a person belongs to these religions, he will be considered as a scheduled caste. Also, if a person adopts Islam or Christianity, his recognition will be canceled. The central government also filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in 2022 that such people cannot be given reservation, because they adopt this religion just because they do not have to face untouchability.
Some time ago, the Supreme Court also clarified this and said that if a Christian or Muslim person changes his religion only to get the benefit of reservation, then it would be a betrayal of the Constitution. Therefore, if he wants to get SC status, then he will need reliable certificate and community approval.
