SC ruling on Dalit Christians flayed

HYDERABAD

Christian organisations and civil rights’ activists have sharply criticised the Supreme Court’s recent verdict denying Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalits who convert to Christianity, calling it a blow to constitutional values of equality and religious freedom.

On Tuesday, the apex court upheld an Andhra Pradesh High Court ruling that only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists can claim SC identity. Dalits who embrace other religions, including Christianity, will not be eligible for benefits or protections accorded to SCs.

Civil Rights Initiative Internationale (CRII) national president and former Additional DGP K. Babu Rao, along with its representative Suresh Pulugujju, said that the judgment relies heavily on the 1950 Presidential Order, without considering current social realities.

“This raises important concerns regarding its impact on Dalits, particularly regarding religious freedom,” Mr. Babu Rao observed.

He pointed out that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, was enacted after grave incidents like the Karamchedu massacre, where most of the victims were Christians.

Highlighting that most churches in Andhra Pradesh are located in Dalit colonies, with preachers and devotees drawn from these communities, he argued that caste‑based discrimination persists irrespective of religious affiliation.

In the present case, Pastor Anand’s caste certificate has not been formally cancelled, nor has he officially declared conversion, yet the judgment appears to draw conclusions that may not align with the factual position.

The CRII leader said continued reliance on the 1950 Presidential Order effectively restricts Dalits from freely choosing their faith without losing constitutional protections. Past judicial observations have recognised that caste identity often persists even after conversion or inter‑religious marriages.

Former Telangana Foods Chairman M. Rajeev Sagar also condemned the ruling, describing it as “completely contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.” He said the verdict undermines Articles 14 and 15, which guarantee equality, and Article 25, which ensures religious freedom. He stressed that caste discrimination is a centuries‑old social structure that does not vanish with conversion, recalling atrocities such as Karamchedu and Chunduru to underline the depth of prejudice.

Christian organisations have urged the Centre to file a review petition and introduce legal and policy changes to safeguard Dalit Christian rights, warning that the verdict threatens social justice and democratic values.