The Supreme Court on 15 October upheld the quashing of a Tamil Nadu order that allowed certain converts to Islam to obtain Backward Class Muslim certificates. Conversion alone does not establish membership in any of the State’s seven notified Muslim communities, and a person’s pre-conversion caste status cannot automatically be carried across. Community certificates are declaratory, while private religious bodies cannot conclusively determine statutory reservation entitlement.
Judge / Bench — Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Shree Chandrashekhar. Judgment authored by Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra.
Advocates appearing — For the State of Tamil Nadu — Mukul Rohatgi and Sidharth Luthra, Senior Counsel. For the respondents — Not named in the judgment.