Conversion Beyond Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism Results in Loss of SC Status: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court held that a person who converts to a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism cannot retain Scheduled Caste (SC) status.

The Court reaffirmed that SC recognition is tied to these specified religions under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.

It observed that extending SC benefits to individuals professing other religions would be inconsistent with the existing legal framework governing reservations.

The ruling clarifies that conversion beyond these religions results in loss of SC status and associated benefits, reinforcing the legal position on the intersection of caste identity and religion in determining eligibility for reservation.

[Chinthada Anand v. State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.]