Supreme Court: converts to non-Hindu religions lose backward-class quota

The case concerns whether a person who converted from Hinduism to Islam can claim Backward Class Muslim reservation benefits based on their pre-conversion caste status, specifically challenging a Tamil Nadu Government Order (G.O.) that allowed such claims.

Who it concerns: Petitioner: The Secretary to Government (State of Tamil Nadu); Respondent: Sameer Ahamed N. and others; Bench: Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra.

What the court decided

• The Court analyzed the jurisdiction of the High Court to examine the validity of the G.O. in a writ petition originally seeking only a community certificate.
• The Court held that the High Court was justified in examining the G.O. because the State was impleaded, given notice, and had the opportunity to defend the instrument.
• The Court distinguished this case from situations where a court decides on unpleaded grounds without notice to the parties.
• The Court began an analysis of the theological and social framework of Islam to understand the distinction between religious identity, community affiliation, and social status.

Also in the document

• The judgment is marked as 'REPORTABLE' and is from the Extra-Ordinary Appellate Jurisdiction.
• The High Court had previously declared the G.O. unconstitutional and dismissed the respondent's writ petition.
• The State argued that the G.O. merely preserved existing backward-class entitlements rather than conferring new community membership.