Supreme Court Denies SC Status to Christian Woman Claiming Hindu Identity for Job
Last Updated on December 5, 2024 by Athi Venkatesh
The Supreme Court has ruled that converting religions for quota benefits without genuine belief undermines the reservation policy’s intent. It upheld a Madras High Court order denying Scheduled Caste (SC) status to C Selvarani, a Christian woman claiming to be Hindu to secure a government job in Puducherry.
A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and R Mahadevan noted that Selvarani actively practiced Christianity, including regular church attendance. Despite this, she claimed Hindu identity to seek SC benefits, which the court deemed fraudulent and against constitutional principles.
Selvarani argued that she was born to a Hindu father and Christian mother. She claimed to have always followed Hindu practices and belonged to the Valluvan caste, eligible for SC benefits. However, the court found evidence showing her baptism shortly after birth and her consistent Christian faith.
The bench highlighted that her parents’ marriage was performed under Christian rites, her father converted to Christianity, and her brother was also baptized. Selvarani’s continued participation in Christian practices invalidated her claim to Hindu SC status.
The court stated that genuine conversion requires clear, affirmative actions such as public declarations or adopting formal procedures like those prescribed by Arya Samaj. Selvarani failed to show any reconversion to Hinduism or cancel her baptism registration.
The ruling aligns with the constitutional ethos of reservation policies. It ensures benefits are reserved for those genuinely belonging to disadvantaged communities. The larger question of granting SC status to Dalit converts to Christianity and Islam remains pending before the Supreme Court.
The decision underscores the importance of genuine religious adherence and warns against exploiting constitutional provisions for personal gain.
