The Supreme Court, in the case of Chinthada Anand v. The State of Andhra Pradesh and others, recently ruled that individuals who convert to Christianity cannot claim Scheduled Caste status. This ruling suggests that when a person converts to a religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism, they forfeit the protections granted to Scheduled Castes under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.

The Court further noted that Christianity, by its very theological principles, does not acknowledge a caste hierarchy, implying that the protections provided under the SC/ST Act do not apply to those who have converted. However, this conclusion raises a more profound socio-political and constitutional question: does caste discrimination truly vanish when one changes their religion? The realities on the ground tell a different story.

Caste is deeply embedded in the social fabric of India, transcending religious boundaries. Although the caste system has its roots in Hindu scriptures, it solidified during British colonial rule and has since influenced every religious community in South Asia. Caste shapes social life not only for Hindus but also for Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists alike. It plays a significant role in determining access to land, education, employment, marriage, and basic dignity. Simply changing one’s religion does not erase the effects of social discrimination that are tied to caste.

Legal assumption vs lived experience

The fundamental legal assumption is that if a religion does not acknowledge caste, then caste discrimination should not occur. The recent judgment is based on several theological and legal premises - that Christianity and Islam, since their inception, do not recognise caste, and as a result, caste-based discrimination doesn’t exist within these faiths. This reasoning suggests that protections for Scheduled Castes are unnecessary after conversion. However, this is where the problem arises. Indian society functions not just on theological principles but also on social structures, historical hierarchies, and community perceptions.

In India, caste functions as a social identity rooted in a birth-based hierarchy. This system often comes with community perceptions, social stigma, and designated occupational roles, as outlined in Hindu scriptures. Inter-caste marriages are still largely frowned upon in many parts of the country, which contributes to the ongoing prevalence of honor-related crimes. Additionally, spatial segregation remains prominent; in numerous villages, families belonging to specific castes often live on the outskirts, further emphasising the divisions within society.

Therefore, conversion changes belief, and not social location.

Across India, the lived realities of many challenge the idea that caste simply vanishes with conversion. In several villages in Tamil Nadu, Dalit Christians have reported facing exclusion from church leadership roles, being barred from participating in religious festivals, and even having to use separate........

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