In a controversial yet politically significant move, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates held by individuals not belonging to the Hindu, Buddhist, or Sikh faiths will be declared invalid. The decision has triggered a sharp backlash from minority communities, constitutional experts, and political opposition, while supporters hail it as a correction to a long standing “legal anomaly.”
What Did Devendra Fadnavis Announce?
While speaking at a state government event in Nagpur on July 17, 2025, Devendra Fadnavis stated that SC certificate cancellation will apply to Christians, Muslims, and any other groups not explicitly mentioned in the Presidential Order of 1950, which recognizes only Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists for Scheduled Caste status.
“Those belonging to religions outside the 1950 mandate cannot claim Scheduled Caste status. Their SC certificates will be canceled,” Fadnavis said.
The move, he clarified, would ensure “reservation benefits are strictly aligned with constitutional provisions.” Fadnavis also added that a verification drive across districts had already begun to identify “ineligible holders” of SC certificates.
Historical Background: What the Constitution Says
The Presidential Order of 1950 initially granted SC status only to Hindus, with Sikhs added in 1956 and Buddhists in 1990. This was based on the assumption that the caste system is a Hindu social construct, and those converting to Islam or Christianity do not face caste based discrimination in the same way.
However, critics argue that Dalit converts to other religions still face discrimination, and the restriction violates the principles of equality under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.
SC Certificate Cancellation: State Government’s Plan of Action
According to Maharashtra’s Social Justice Department, the SC certificate cancellation process will include:
- Cross verification of religious affiliations linked to SC certificates.
- Scrutiny committees at the district level to fast track reviews.
- Digital linking of SC certificates with Aadhaar and religion records.
- Issuance of show cause notices to suspected ineligible beneficiaries.
- Legal proceedings under the Maharashtra SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Rules for fraudulent claims.
Sources inside Mantralaya confirmed that over 12,000 certificates are currently under review.
Legal and Political Implications
The announcement is likely to face legal challenges. Several minority rights activists and Christian and Muslim Dalit organizations are already preparing to move the Supreme Court, claiming the move is discriminatory and in violation of fundamental rights.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, founder of the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), termed it an “unconstitutional and draconian step.”
“Caste doesn’t vanish with conversion. Fadnavis’s decision to cancel SC certificates for Muslims and Christians betrays the spirit of social justice.”
Expert Views
Constitutional Experts
Dr. Faizan Mustafa, former Vice Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, said:
“This is judicial overreach by the executive. Article 341 empowers the President, not the states, to decide SC status. The Maharashtra government has no authority to alter or cancel SC recognition on religious grounds.”
Sociologists
Dr. Suraj Yengde, Dalit scholar and author of Caste Matters, argued:
Whether Dalits convert or not, they remain structurally oppressed. SC certificate cancellation is nothing short of erasure of identity.”
Opposition Reaction: “BJP’s Agenda to Polarize”
Political parties across the spectrum have denounced the move. The Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and AIMIM have accused the BJP and Devendra Fadnavis of using SC certificate cancellation as a pre election strategy to polarize voters ahead of the 2026 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Congress Spokesperson Atul Londhe said:
“This is an attack on Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims who are doubly marginalized. It shows BJP’s hatred for minorities.”
AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel said:
They want to tell every converted Dalit: Convert and lose your rights. This is against the basic fabric of the Constitution.”
Who Will Be Affected?
According to government data:
Nearly 4.5 lakh Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims reside in Maharashtra.
Around 1.3 lakh currently hold SC certificates and availing benefits under the Scheduled Caste quota in education, employment, and welfare schemes.
These individuals risk losing:
- Reservation in educational institutions
- Government jobs under the SC quota
- Financial aid and scholarships
- Protection under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act
Central Government’s Stand
Interestingly, this issue has also been pending before the Supreme Court of India. A Constitution Bench is currently hearing petitions demanding SC status for Dalits who convert to Christianity or Islam. The Union government, in an affidavit submitted earlier, had opposed inclusion, stating that conversion alters social status.
Timeline of SC Certificate Cancellation Policy in Maharashtra
- March 2024: Scrutiny begins unofficially.
- May 2025: Social Justice Department issues internal circulars for data verification.
- July 17, 2025: Devendra Fadnavis makes official public announcement.
- August 2025: First list of SC certificate cancellations to be published.
Activism and Protests Begin
Following the announcement, several protests were held:
- Mumbai (Azad Maidan): Interfaith Dalit groups held a sit in protest.
- Pune: Students from Christian colleges organized a candlelight march.
- Nagpur: Minor scuffles reported during protest near RSS headquarters.
Civil society groups are demanding a moratorium on the cancellation process until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict.
Road Ahead
Legal experts predict that the matter will reach the Supreme Court within weeks. Meanwhile, political observers believe this will become a major issue in upcoming state and national elections, especially as it ties into the broader reservation debate and identity politics.
Opposition parties are likely to use this move to corner the BJP on both minority rights and social justice, while the ruling party is expected to project it as an effort to “clean up fraudulent beneficiaries.”
Conclusion
The SC certificate cancellation drive announced by Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis is a landmark political move with far reaching implications. While aimed at aligning benefits with constitutional provisions, it raises serious legal, ethical, and social justice concerns, particularly for Dalit Christians and Muslims. With litigation imminent and protests growing, the coming weeks will determine the fate of this controversial policy.
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Sources:
- NDTV – “Will Scrap SC Certificates Of All Other Than Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs: Devendra Fadnavis”
- IndiaTV News (PTI) – “Maharashtra CM Fadnavis orders cancellation of fraudulent SC certificates for non-Hindu, Buddhist and Sikhs”
- The New Indian Express – “SC certificates of anyone other than Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs will be cancelled: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis”
