Dalits who convert to Christianity cannot seek protection under SC/ST Act: Andhra Pradesh HC

Members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who convert to Christianity cannot invoke provisions of the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act as the caste system is alien to the Christian faith, the Andhra Pradesh High Court recently ruled, reported Live Law.

The ruling came on April 30 while the High Court was hearing a case stemming from a complaint filed by a pastor, who alleged that he was assaulted several times by the petitioner.

The pastor alleged that he and his family members had received death threats from the petitioner. He claimed that the investigation in the case was complete.

The petitioner had moved the High Court seeking to quash the case.

“The SC ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is a protective legislation introduced for preventing atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,” Live Law quoted the court sas having said on April 30.

It added that the pastor had “misused” the Act as he had voluntarily converted to Christianity and was not entitled to invoke the provisions.

The pastor had told the court that he possessed a Scheduled Caste certificate.

In response, the court held that “mere non-cancellation of the caste certificate by the authority to a person cannot instil the protection granted” under the Act.

“The 2nd respondent [pastor] has ceased to be a...

Read more

News