New Delhi, 24 March (H.S.):

The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that only those professing Hinduism Sikhism or Buddhism qualify for Scheduled Caste status with converts to Christianity or other religions forfeiting eligibility including SC-ST Act protections a bench led by Justice PK Mishra affirmed upholding Andhra Pradesh High Courts May 2025 order.

The case stemmed from pastor Chinthada who challenged quashed FIRs after alleging caste discrimination by Akkala Ramireddy others filing under SC-ST Act post-conversion. The High Court dismissed his claim noting active Christian practice voids SC membership rendering Act protections inapplicable which the apex court endorsed as absolute per Constitution Scheduled Castes Order 1950.

Justice Mishra clarified no person embracing faiths beyond the specified trio retains SC status with conversion triggering immediate loss regardless of birth community ending disputes over Dalit Christians legal safeguards.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar