The Supreme Court on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) ruled that a pastor from the Madiga community in Andhra Pradesh cannot claim scheduled caste status after he converted to a religion not covered by the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950, which the court says prohibits a religion that is “absolute”.
The Supreme Court upheld the judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court and held that a person practicing a religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism or Sikhism cannot be recognized as a member of a Scheduled Caste and is therefore not entitled to the benefits and protections afforded to SC communities.
Supreme Court for SC status for religious converts
A Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan held that conversion to a religion other than the religion specified in the 1950 Ordinance results in “immediate and total loss of Scheduled Caste status from the time of conversion, irrespective of birth”. It stated that a convert who does not profess Hinduism, Buddhism or Sikhism as mentioned in Article 3 of the Order cannot claim any statutory benefit, protection, reservation or entitlement enjoyed by members of the Scheduled Castes.
The judgment further clarified that a person claiming to have re-converted to Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism must cumulatively and irreversibly prove former caste status, provide credible and undisputed evidence of bona fide back-conversion and demonstrate acceptance and assimilation by members of the original caste community.
The court also noted that Christianity, in its theological foundations, does not recognize or incorporate the institution of caste. It has been held that once a person ceases to be a member of a Scheduled Caste on account of religious conversion, the resulting loss of status results in the automatic termination of all statutory benefits, protections, reservations, preferences and entitlements accruing from such membership, including the protection under the SC/ST (Prevention of Astroities) Act.
The judgment examined the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 and noted that unlike the Scheduled Castes Order, it does not prescribe religious exclusion. Justice Mishra said eligibility for benefits under the Scheduled Tribes Order depends on whether a person continues to belong to a particular tribe “in substance”.
The center’s opinion in issue
Meanwhile, the Union government relied on the 1950 order to argue that Dalit Muslims and Christians must continue to be excluded, citing the “foreign origin” of these religions as opposed to Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.
Petitioners for Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians and Muslims argued that the 1950 order was amended over time, first to include Sikhism in the 1950s and later Buddhism in 1990. They pointed out that the amendment to include Buddhism was prompted by large-scale conversions in certain regions following the call of Dr. BR Ambedkar.
In October 2022, the Center set up a commission of inquiry headed by former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan to examine whether Scheduled Caste status could be extended to converts to Islam and Christianity. After several extensions, the Commission is due to present its report in April this year.
Congress condemns the decision
Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) that the verdict had caused “deep consternation, uneasiness and fear” among the economically weaker sections of the minority communities. He asked how a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court could decide the matter without referring it to a larger bench and asked why the Union government had not informed the court that the matter was pending before a three-judge bench.
Christian organizations and civil rights activists criticized the verdict, calling it an obstacle to constitutional guarantees of equality and religious freedom. They urged the Center to seek a review of the judgment and introduce legal and political safeguards for Dalit Christians, warning that the judgment could undermine social justice and democratic values.
Hindu outfits welcome the verdict
The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) welcomed the decision, terming it as a decision that strengthened the spirit of the Constitution, social justice and rule of law. VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said in a statement that the verdict is in accordance with constitutional principles and will promote social harmony, transparency and justice. He added that the organization will prepare a list of those who have converted and ensure that benefits are returned to those deemed eligible.
The Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti also welcomed the judgment on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) and urged the Center to stop the converts from accessing reservation benefits. Samiti national general secretary Swami Jitendranand Saraswati said the decision ended what he called foreign-sponsored efforts to undermine Sanatan Dharma.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Tuesday (March 24, 2026) welcomed the verdict, saying it was aimed at protecting vulnerable communities from religious conversion. He argued that those facilitating the conversions often concealed the facts and used inducements, coercion or misinformation.
Telangana BJP President N. Ramchander Rao called the decision a “historic victory for the spirit of the Constitution”. He said that scheduled caste reservations as envisaged by Dr. BR Ambedkar, were meant for the social upliftment of the marginalized sections in the Hindu fold.
Published – 27 March 2026 09:05 IST
