Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that members of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities who convert to Christianity no longer receive SC-specific reservation benefits. The directive was issued during the hearing of a petition involving allegations of promoting religious hostility.
Justice Praveen Kumar Giri, relying on a previous Supreme Court ruling, stated that availing SC benefits after conversion would amount to “a fraud on the Constitution,” as the reservation framework is rooted in the social disadvantages experienced within the Hindu caste system. The court also referenced an earlier judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which held that caste-based discrimination does not exist within Christianity, making SC status invalid upon conversion, irrespective of any existing caste certificate.
The order was passed while hearing a plea filed by Jitendra Sahani, who had been charged with promoting enmity between religious groups and hurting religious sentiments. Sahani had sought to have the charges dismissed, arguing that he had only asked for permission to “preach the words of Jesus Christ” on his personal property.
However, according to details reported by The Times of India, the court found inconsistencies in Sahani’s statements. Despite having embraced Christianity, he declared himself “Hindu” in an affidavit and claimed SC benefits. A witness also alleged that Sahani criticised Hinduism’s caste structure and portrayed conversion to Christianity as a means to secure “jobs, business opportunities and financial assistance from missionaries.”
By placing accountability on the state, the High Court has instructed the UP government to conduct appropriate inquiries and ensure that reservation entitlements linked to the Scheduled Caste category are withdrawn once an individual adopts a faith that does not recognize caste-based classifications. The ruling reinforces judicial interpretations that SC status and the protections it brings is tied to the social context in which caste oppression operates.