By Rajesh Pandey
In a landmark ruling with far-reaching implications, the Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh state administration to take comprehensive measures ensuring that individuals who have converted to Christianity do not continue to claim benefits reserved for the Scheduled Castes (SC).
The Court emphasised that continuation of SC benefits after conversion constitutes a deception against constitutional principles, as Christianity does not recognise the caste system.
Justice Praveen Kumar Giri issued these directions while dismissing an application filed by one Jitendra Sahani, who is accused of insulting Hindu deities and fostering communal hostility.
Sahani had approached the Court seeking quashing of the charge-sheet, arguing that he was being falsely implicated after obtaining permission to preach Christian teachings on his private land.
Court Observations and Findings
During the hearing, the Court examined affidavits submitted by the applicant and noted that Sahani had declared himself a Hindu in the affidavit despite having converted to Christianity.
It was also recorded that he originally belonged to a Scheduled Caste community before his conversion.
A witness statement under Section 161 CrPC similarly revealed that Sahani was now functioning as a Christian priest (‘Padri’) and had openly stated that Christianity offered better financial and professional opportunities, while criticising Hinduism for caste-based discrimination.
Conversion and Loss of SC Status
Justice Giri highlighted constitutional and statutory provisions, citing Paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order, 1950, which clearly states that no person who professes any religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism can be recognised as a Scheduled Caste.
The Court relied heavily on the recent Supreme Court ruling in C. Selvarani v. Special Secretary-cum-District Collector, 2024 LiveLaw (SC) 923, where the apex court categorically held that a person loses their original caste identity upon conversion to Christianity, and that conversion solely for the purpose of continuing reservation benefits constitutes “fraud on the Constitution.”
Administrative Directions
The Court directed:
- The Principal Secretary, Minorities Welfare Department, is to ensure strict distinction between minority status and SC entitlement.
- All District Magistrates in Uttar Pradesh are to identify and prevent the misuse of SC benefits by converted Christians within four months.
- Full compliance and necessary action to uphold constitutional integrity.
While dismissing Sahani’s petition on November 21, the Court stated that the application lacked merit and that such cases raise serious concerns about the misuse of constitutional protections.
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