New Delhi: In a move seen as projecting Hindutva ideology, the Supreme Court ruled that Dalits converting back to Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism may reclaim Scheduled Caste status, provided they fulfill stringent conditions. Critics argue this ruling aligns with the BJP’s push for ghar wapsi, or reconversion to Hinduism.
According to Global Mirror, the apex court emphasized that reconverts must provide “credible and unimpeachable evidence” of genuine reconversion, renunciation of the adopted religion, and acceptance by the original community. The ruling has sparked concerns about the government’s intentions to influence religious demographics and undermine minority rights.
A Bench of Justice PK Mishra and Justice Manmohan – which held that a Hindu Dalit person converted to Christianity or Islam can’t claim the Scheduled Caste status and the benefits meant for Scheduled Castes under the Constitution and various laws – clarified that such a person can claim the Scheduled Caste status again if he/she must “cumulatively and conclusively” establish the three conditions prescribed by it.
According to Global Mirror, the apex court emphasized that reconverts must provide “credible and unimpeachable evidence” of genuine reconversion, renunciation of the adopted religion, and acceptance by the original community. The ruling has sparked concerns about the government’s intentions to influence religious demographics and undermine minority rights.
A Bench of Justice PK Mishra and Justice Manmohan – which held that a Hindu Dalit person converted to Christianity or Islam can’t claim the Scheduled Caste status and the benefits meant for Scheduled Castes under the Constitution and various laws – clarified that such a person can claim the Scheduled Caste status again if he/she must “cumulatively and conclusively” establish the three conditions prescribed by it.