Why in the News
The Supreme Court ruled that only persons professing Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism can claim Scheduled Caste status, and conversion to any other religion results in immediate loss of SC benefits.
Key Supreme Court Ruling
- Conversion to Christianity or Islam leads to:
- Immediate loss of Scheduled Caste status
- Loss of reservation benefits
- Loss of legal protections under SC laws
- The ruling invoked Clause 3 of the Constitution Scheduled Castes Order 1950
Constitutional Basis
Constitution Scheduled Castes Order 1950
Clause 3 states:
- Only persons professing:
- Hinduism
- Sikhism added in 1956
- Buddhism added in 1990
- are eligible for Scheduled Caste status.
Meaning of “Profess” Explained by Court
The Court clarified:
- “Profess” means:
- Publicly declaring religion
- Practicing religion openly
- Private belief alone is not sufficient
- Public religious practice determines eligibility
| [2024] Consider the following statements: 1 It is the Governor of the State who recognizes and declares any community of that State as a Scheduled Tribe. 2 A community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
