Converted Muslims can’t claim quota benefits: SC

NEW DELHI, OCT 15 (PTI): Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that Hindus belonging to backward classes cannot automatically claim reservation benefits after converting to Islam, saying social backwardness associated with their previous status cannot be carried forward. A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Shree Chandrashekhar dismissed Tamil Nadu government’s plea challenging a Madras High Court order that barred converted Muslims from claiming Backward Class (Muslim) reservation solely on the basis of conversion.
It also held that persons professing religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism cannot claim Scheduled Caste status. Reconversion, however, requires an independent assessment of eligibility by the competent authority.