The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday ruled that individuals who convert to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism are not eligible to claim Scheduled Caste (SC) status. The court emphasized that SC recognition remains restricted to persons professing these three religions, as defined under existing legal provisions.
The apex court further stated that such individuals would also not be entitled to seek protection under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This observation reinforces the current legal framework governing caste-based reservations and safeguards.
The ruling highlights that eligibility for SC status is intrinsically linked to specific religious affiliation, in line with constitutional provisions and statutory laws. The judgment is expected to have wider implications on policies related to reservation benefits and legal protections extended to Scheduled Castes across the country.
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