Maharashtra to cancel SC certificates of converts, plans tougher law on forced religious conversion: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state government will revoke Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates of individuals who have converted to religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism.

The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling delivered on November 26, 2024, which stated that SC reservation benefits are only available to individuals from these three faiths.

Speaking in the legislative council in response to a 'calling attention' motion, Fadnavis said that any individual who has fraudulently obtained an SC certificate and secured government benefits such as jobs or political positions will face strict action.

“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,” the chief minister said.

He added that if an individual has won an election using such a certificate, their election will be declared null and void. "Recovery (of monetary benefits) will be recommended from those who have availed benefits using fraudulently obtained caste certificates," Fadnavis said.

The debate was triggered by BJP legislator Amit Gorkhe, who raised concerns about misuse of reservation by individuals he referred to as “crypto Christians” - those who allegedly convert in practice but continue to avail benefits as members of Scheduled Castes by remaining affiliated with their original religion on paper. “On the face of it, they belong to an SC community and get reservation benefits like government jobs,” Gorkhe said.

Further concerns were raised by BJP leader Chitra Wagh, who cited a disturbing incident from Sangli district. She described the case of a woman who was allegedly deceived into marriage by a man whose family secretly followed Christianity. The woman was reportedly tortured and coerced into religious conversion, which eventually led to her death while seven months pregnant.

Fadnavis stressed that conversion by choice is legal, but coercion, deception, or inducement is not. “A person can follow any religion and convert another person with consent, but law does not permit the use of force, cheating, or enticement for conversion,” he said.

The chief minister noted that complaints of coerced or deceptive conversions will lead to official investigations and possible action against the organisations involved. “Complaints of coercion or inducement for conversion will lead to investigation and action against the concerned organisation,” he said.

To address the issue, the state had earlier formed a panel led by the Director General of Police (DGP), which has now submitted its recommendations.

Fadnavis confirmed the government is studying the report and intends to introduce stronger legal measures. “The state government has the intention of bringing in strong provisions to deal with such cases, and we will take a decision on this soon,” he said.

He also mentioned that the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) could be used in such cases, but the government is looking to introduce specific provisions aimed at preventing conversions through coercion or fraud.

Earlier this week, Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar announced that Maharashtra would introduce an anti-conversion law during the winter session of the state legislature. He claimed it would be “more stringent than similar legislations in other states.”

Echoing these concerns, BJP’s Pravin Darekar alleged that there is a covert campaign underway in economically weaker areas to lure people into conversion. CM Fadnavis acknowledged the issue, particularly in slum areas, but reiterated that the government has no intention to interfere with religious conversions that are consensual.