Lucknow, December 7, 2025 – In a landmark ruling that has sparked debates on religious conversion, constitutional reservations, and identity fraud, the Allahabad High Court has ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to launch a statewide crackdown on individuals who convert to Christianity but continue to claim benefits reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC). The court described such practices as a "fraud on the Constitution," emphasizing that SC status is inextricably linked to Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism under Indian law.
The directive emerged from a seemingly routine criminal petition filed by Jitendra Sahani, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, who sought to quash charges against him under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups) and 295A (deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code. The case stemmed from a 2023 police complaint alleging that Sahani organized prayer meetings near a public crossing that allegedly insulted Hindu deities and promoted religious discord.
### The Twist: A Contradictory Affidavit
What began as a defamation probe morphed into a constitutional flashpoint during the High Court hearing. Justice Praveen Kumar Giri, in an order dated November 21, 2025, dismissed Sahani's plea for lack of merit but zeroed in on a glaring inconsistency in his court affidavit. While Sahani professed to be a Hindu belonging to the SC category—entitling him to reservation benefits—he had reportedly converted to Christianity several years prior.
"This retention of SC status after conversion amounts to a fraud on the Constitution," Justice Giri observed, citing the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. This Presidential Order explicitly states that no person professing a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism can be deemed a member of a Scheduled Caste. The court reinforced its stance by referencing a recent Andhra Pradesh High Court ruling in Akkala Rama Reddy v. State of A.P. (2025), which held that caste-based discrimination does not exist in Christianity, nullifying SC classification upon conversion.
Further bolstering the decision were Supreme Court precedents, including Soosai v. Union of India (1980), which clarified that Christians cannot claim SC status, and K.P. Manu v. Chairman, Scrutiny Committee (2015), which deemed dual religious and caste identities post-conversion as fraudulent.
### Why SC Identity Became Central
The Scheduled Caste angle surfaced unexpectedly during the scrutiny of Sahani's affidavit, where he invoked his SC status to bolster his petition. This revelation prompted the court to question not just the petitioner's credibility but the broader systemic issue of converts retaining outdated caste certificates for perks like educational quotas, government jobs, and welfare schemes. "Claiming caste-based benefits merely for the purpose of availing reservation after conversion amounts to a fraud on the Constitution," the bench noted, echoing the apex court's language.
In a sweeping directive, Justice Giri instructed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to issue guidelines ensuring rigorous verification of SC certificates for all Christian converts. The order mandates administrative inquiries across the state to identify and revoke such benefits, with the court emphasizing that "the basis for Scheduled Caste classification stands nullified upon conversion, irrespective of any previously issued caste certificate."
### Broader Implications for Dalit Converts
The ruling reignites long-standing tensions around the 1950 Order, which has been criticized for discriminating against Dalit converts to Islam or Christianity by stripping them of affirmative action safeguards. Advocacy groups, including those representing Christian communities, argue that the policy forces many to nominally identify as Hindus to retain benefits, perpetuating a cycle of hidden identities and social stigma.
Legal experts hail the decision as a clarion call for transparency but warn it could exacerbate vulnerabilities for marginalized converts. "This isn't just about one affidavit—it's a reminder that our reservation framework is tethered to religious identity in ways that demand urgent reform," said a Lucknow-based constitutional lawyer, speaking anonymously.
The Uttar Pradesh government has yet to respond officially, but sources indicate compliance measures are underway. As the state gears up for implementation, the case underscores the intricate interplay of faith, caste, and equity in India's social fabric, potentially setting precedents for similar disputes nationwide.
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