The Indian National Congress on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) questioned a two-judge Bench order of the Supreme Court of India stating that any person professing a religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism cannot claim the status of a Scheduled Caste, and said the same issue has been pending before a three-judge Bench of the top court since 2011.
In a statement, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said the judgment denying Scheduled Caste status to Christians, Muslims and other minorities has caused “deep consternation, disquiet and fear” among economically weaker sections of minority communities.
Explained | The Scheduled Caste classification and the religion bar: What has the Supreme Court ruled?
He described the question of granting or continuing SC status after religious conversion as a “sensitive issue” affecting a large number of underprivileged people seeking to escape entrenched social prejudice, and argued that it cannot be decided through a “simpliciter interpretation” of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.
Raising procedural objections, Mr. Surjewala said the issue of SC status for converts has been pending before a three-judge Bench since January 21, 2011, in a public interest litigation.
