Maharashtra Government To Cancel Fraudulent SC Certificates For Non-Hindu, Non-Buddhist, Non-Sikh Individuals

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates obtained fraudulently by individuals from religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism will be cancelled, India TV reported.

He said strict action would follow in cases where reservation benefits, such as government jobs or electoral wins, were availed using such certificates.

Speaking in the legislative council during a discussion on a ‘calling attention’ motion, Fadnavis said the state government was acting in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling dated 26 November 2024, which reaffirmed that SC reservations apply only to Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs.

"If anyone from religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism has availed an SC certificate or reservation, their validity certificates and caste certificates will be cancelled with due procedure. If anyone has availed benefits like government jobs, action will be taken against them," he said, PTI reported.

The issue of “crypto Christians” — individuals who discreetly follow Christianity while officially belonging to an SC community to claim benefits — was raised by BJP leader Amit Gorkhe. He alleged that freedom of religion is being misused to exploit reservation policies.

BJP MLA Chitra Wagh cited a disturbing case from Sangli, where a woman was allegedly deceived into marriage by a man hiding his religion, forced to convert to Christianity, and later died during pregnancy after alleged torture.

Fadnavis clarified that while voluntary religious conversion is permitted, coercion, cheating, or inducement for conversion will not be tolerated.

Complaints would be thoroughly investigated, and action taken against those involved.

A committee led by the Director General of Police has been formed to propose stricter laws on forced religious conversions. Fadnavis indicated these legal provisions could be introduced under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Earlier, Minister of State for Home, Pankaj Bhoyar, said a stringent anti-conversion law would be introduced in the winter session.

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