Andhra Pradesh High Court.
Christianity Has No Caste, Dalit Converts Cannot Invoke SC/ST Act: Andhra High Court: Amaravati, India – June 30, 2025 – In a significant legal pronouncement with far-reaching implications for religious conversions and caste-based reservations, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that Christianity, as a religion, does not recognize the concept of caste. Consequently, individuals who convert to Christianity from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities cannot invoke the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act) for offenses committed against them.
This ruling addresses a long-standing debate concerning the status of Dalit converts to Christianity and their eligibility for benefits and protections traditionally afforded to Scheduled Castes under Indian law. The SC/ST Act was enacted to prevent atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and to provide for special courts for their trial and for relief and rehabilitation of victims of such atrocities.
Andhra Pradesh High Court‘s decision appears to hinge on the theological and historical understanding that Christianity, in its essence, preaches equality and does not inherently endorse a caste system. By stating that Christianity “has no caste,” the court implies that upon conversion, an individual sheds their previous caste identity within the new religious framework, thereby losing the legal protections specifically tied to that caste under the SC/ST Act.
This judgment is likely to spark considerable discussion and debate among legal scholars, religious groups, and human rights organizations. Advocates for Dalit Christians have long argued that even after conversion, individuals continue to face social discrimination and economic disadvantages stemming from their former caste identity, and therefore should remain eligible for affirmative action and protective laws. They contend that a change in religion does not automatically erase centuries of social prejudice and marginalization.
Conversely, those who support the High Court’s stance often argue that extending caste-based benefits to converts would undermine the very purpose of such reservations, which are intended for specific historically disadvantaged groups within the Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist faiths, as per existing legal provisions. They emphasize that if a religion does not recognize caste, then its adherents cannot claim caste-based benefits or protections.
The implications of this ruling are multifaceted. It could potentially impact the ability of Dalit converts to Christianity to seek justice under the SC/ST Act in cases of discrimination or violence. It may also reignite discussions about the definition of “Scheduled Caste” and the criteria for inclusion or exclusion based on religious conversion. The judgment could also lead to renewed calls for legislative intervention to clarify the status of Dalit converts across various religions.
As the full text of the judgment becomes available, legal analyses will undoubtedly delve deeper into the court’s reasoning and the precedents it sets. This ruling from the Andhra Pradesh High Court adds another complex layer to India’s intricate legal landscape concerning religion, caste, and fundamental rights, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing constitutional principles with diverse social and religious realities.
