Today, the Supreme Court of India held that only persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist faiths are entitled to claim Scheduled Caste (SC) status, and that conversion to any other religion, including Christianity, results in the loss of such status.

A division bench comprising, Justices PK Mishra and Justice Manmohan clarified that a Dalit person who converts to Christianity cannot seek protection under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (SC/ST Act).

The ruling came while deciding an appeal filed by a pastor, Chinthada Anand, against a May 2025 judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Anand had alleged that he was subjected to caste-based abuse and discrimination by Akkala Ramireddy and others. Based on his complaint, the police had registered an FIR under the SC/ST Act.

However, Ramireddy approached the High Court seeking quashing of the case. Justice N Harinath allowed the plea and quashed the FIR, observing that Anand had lost his SC status after converting to Christianity and therefore could not invoke the SC/ST Act.

The High Court also noted that merely holding an SC certificate would not revive his status, as conversion to Christianity—where caste distinctions are not recognised—effectively nullifies SC identity.

Challenging this decision, Anand moved the Supreme Court. However, the top court upheld the High Court’s view, reiterating that SC status does not continue after conversion to Christianity.