SC: Only Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs can claim SC status; conversion scraps it

• Supreme Court ruled only Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs can claim Scheduled Caste status.
• Conversion to any other religion, including Christianity, scraps SC status, according to the apex court.
• A Dalit person converting to Christianity cannot claim violation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
• The ruling came during a plea by a pastor challenging an Andhra Pradesh High Court decision.
• The case involves Chinthada Anand, who converted to Christianity and sought protection under the SC/ST Act.

Key Questions Answered

Why did the Supreme Court rule only Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs can be SC?

The Supreme Court ruled that only Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs can be Scheduled Castes because the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, specifies this.

What was the Andhra Pradesh High Court's ruling on Chinthada Anand's case?

The Andhra Pradesh High Court quashed criminal proceedings under the SC/ST Act against Chinthada Anand on the grounds of religious conversion. This ruling was made in May 2025.

Can a Dalit convert to Christianity claim SC/ST Act protection, per SC?

No, a Dalit who converts to Christianity cannot claim protection under the SC/ST Act.