The Supreme Court has ruled that individuals who convert to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism will lose their SC/ST status and protection against casteist slurs under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. ADVERTISEMENTAnand’s appeal had challenged an Andhra Pradesh High Court order that quashed the criminal case registered against six people in Guntur district under the stringent SC/ST Act based on his complaint. No person who professes a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism shall be deemed an SC member. This bar under Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order is categorical and absolute. Conversion to any religion not specified in Clause 3 results in immediate and complete loss of SC status from the moment of conversion, regardless of birth.

Source: The Telegraph March 25, 2026 07:14 UTC