Supreme Court Explains Criteria for Reclaiming Scheduled Caste Status Post-Reconversion

The Supreme Court clarified that converting from Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism to another religion results in the automatic loss of Scheduled Caste (SC) status.

To reclaim this status upon reconversion, a claimant must satisfy three mandatory conditions: proof of original belonging to a notified caste, credible evidence of bona fide reconversion, including the renunciation of the previous faith, and proof of acceptance by the original community.

The Bench held that mere self-proclamation is insufficient.

The Court applied these principles while dismissing a plea from a Pastor seeking protection under the SC/ST Act after converting to Christianity.

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