SC certificates of anyone other than Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs will be cancelled: Devendra Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis
on Thursday said if a person belonging a religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism has obtained a Scheduled Caste certificate fraudulently, it will be cancelled.
Action will be taken against such a person if he or she has secured reservation benefits such as government jobs. If such a person has won an election using a fraudulently obtained SC certificate, their election will be declared null and void, Fadnavis said in the legislative council.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
Digital Marketing
Leadership
Technology
Degree
Project Management
others
Design Thinking
Data Analytics
Cybersecurity
Others
Data Science
Healthcare
Management
MCA
CXO
Artificial Intelligence
MBA
Data Science
Public Policy
Product Management
PGDM
Operations Management
Finance
Skills you'll gain:
Digital Marketing Strategy
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing
Social Media Marketing & Advertising
Data Analytics & Measurement
Duration:
24 Weeks
Indian School of Business
Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing
Starts on
Jun 26, 2024
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Digital Marketing Strategies
Customer Journey Mapping
Paid Advertising Campaign Management
Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing
Duration:
12 Weeks
Indian School of Business
Digital Marketing and Analytics
Starts on
May 14, 2024
Get Details
Replying to a 'calling attention' motion, he also said the state government intends to bring in strong provisions to deal with cases of
religious conversion
through coercion and cheating.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
Amit Gorkhe (BJP) had claimed that freedom of religion was being misused by "
crypto Christians
", and some people benefit from reservations under the SC category while professing other religions. 'Crypto Christians' was an apparent reference to people who discreetly follow Christianity while belonging to a different religion on paper.
On the face of it, they belong to an SC community and get reservation benefits like government jobs, he had said.
Live Events
Fadnavis said on November 26, 2024, the Supreme Court gave a verdict in which it made it clear that the Scheduled Castes category reservation can be availed only by Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs, and not by those belonging to other religions.
"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.
"Recovery (of monetary benefits) will be recommended from those who have availed benefits using fraudulently obtained caste certificates," he said.
BJP leader Chitra Wagh said there have been cases where women were duped into marriage by hiding the husband's religion.
She cited a case in Sangli where a woman married into a family which secretly professed Christianity. The woman suffered torture and was forced to change her religion, leading to her death while she was seven months pregnant, Wagh said.
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, the chief minister said.
"Complaints of coercion or inducement for conversion will lead to investigation and action against the concerned organisation," Fadnavis added.
The state government had formed a panel headed by the Director General of Police (DGP) for giving recommendations to deal with such cases, and it has submitted its report, he said.
The government will study it and bring in new (legal) provisions so that conversions do not happen by force or cheating, he said.
"Action can be taken under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in such cases. But a panel was formed to suggest strict provisions. The state government has the intentions of bringing in strong provisions to deal with such cases, and we will take a decision on this soon," he said.
On Monday, Pankaj Bhoyar, Minister of State for Home, had said the state will bring an
anti-conversion law
in the winter session of the legislature, and it will be more stringent than similar legislations in other states.
Pravin Darekar (BJP) claimed a secret campaign to lure people into converting was being carried out in poor localities and slums.
Fadnavis acknowledged that such things take place in slums. He, however, said the government has no intention to ban religious conversions that take place consensually.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
CM YUVA scheme turning job seekers into job creators, says CM
1 2 Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the CM YUVA Scheme has emerged as a transformative instrument of social change enabling lakhs of youth across the state to embark on a journey from self-employment to self-reliance. Speaking at the inaugural function of the 2-day CM YUVA Conclave and Expo 2025 here, the CM said: "This initiative has proved to be an enabler for lakhs of youths. Many of them have now become full-time job-givers. The officials and department must ensure that at least 50 youth from each district visit the CM YUVA Conclave and Exhibition so they can gain first-hand knowledge about various govt schemes, startup resources and market opportunities. " He said over 68,000 youth have so far received interest-free and collateral-free loans amounting to Rs 2,751 crore under the scheme. "This is not just a scheme—it's a movement. A golden opportunity for every youth who has a dream but lacks resources," he said."It is not just a financial aid programme, but a robust platform providing mentorship, market access, and essential resources to empower young entrepreneurs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The state govt is offering 10% margin money assistance to support budding entrepreneurs further," he said. The CM also launched the 'UP Mart'—a portal for machinery suppliers, aimed at easing access to essential tools and equipment for startups, besides witnessing the signing of 17 MoUs to boost entrepreneurship in the state. Addressing university vice chancellors and youth, the CM expressed concern over the growing disconnect between academic institutions and society. "Our institutions are becoming isolated islands, increasingly cut off from the people and government schemes. This disconnect is dangerous," he said. He pointed out that due to a lack of information, many young people fall prey to fraudulent schemes, get burdened by debt, and are often left with no choice but to migrate in search of opportunities. "But now, this cycle will cease to exist… thanks to this scheme," he said. Reflecting on the 2017 Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra of the BJP, prepared under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said a commitment was made to promote traditional industries through a dedicated scheme. Acting on this, a statewide survey was conducted post-2017, which revealed that every district had unique traditional enterprises. However, due to corruption, lawlessness, and large-scale migration, these industries nearly collapsed. Turning this challenge into an opportunity, the state govt launched the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme in 2018. "What began as a revival initiative has today become a national brand," Yogi said, noting that the scheme helped boost UP's exports from Rs 86,000 crore to over Rs 2 lakh crore. "Earlier, Chinese products flooded the markets during festivals. Today, locally made ODOP items are finding a place in every household," he said. He added that the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana launched in 2019, was offering training, toolkits and dignity to traditional artisans. "A society that doesn't respect its artisans has no future," he stressed. Yogi also announced that products from Uttar Pradesh will be prominently featured at the International Trade Show scheduled from Sep 25 to 29, 2025, at the India Expo Centre in Noida. "The buyer-seller meet held at this event has become a massive platform for showcasing the state's potential. No one would have imagined such innovation and enterprise from UP just a few years ago. From 4 lakh participants in the first year to 5 lakh in the second, the show is pushing forward our vision of taking local products to the global stage," he said. The event was attended by MSME minister Rakesh Sachan, chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, additional chief secretary Alok Kumar, vice chancellors from various universities and other dignitaries.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
HC reserves order on Abbas Ansari plea
Prayagraj: Allahabad High Court on Wednesday reserved judgment on a revision petition filed by disqualified MLA Abbas Ansari challenging order of MP-MLA court at Mau by which his application for stay of his conviction in 2022 hate speech case has been rejected. Son of gangster-turned-politician late Mukhtar Ansari, Abbas Ansari had moved Allahabad High court challenging order of additional sessions judge, MP-MLA court passed on Jul 5, by which his application for stay of conviction has been rejected pending appeal. Abbas is Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party's former MLA from Mau Assembly. Justice Sameer Jain passed the above order after hearing both sides at length. Court of Chief Justice Magistrate MP-MLA court Mau had convicted Abbas and sentenced him to two years' imprisonment in a 2022 hate speech case by judgement passed on May 31. Appeal against the said judgement filed by Ansari is pending before Additional Sessios Judge MP-MLA court Mau. Alongwith appeal he has moved an application for stay of conviction which has been rejected by appellate court by order dated Jul, 5. Against this order he has moved to Allahabad High court by present revision. Abbas was convicted by the MP-MLA court of Mau on May 31 under sections 153-A (promoting enmity between groups) and 189 (threatening a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo The conviction pertains to a controversial speech delivered during the 2022 assembly election campaign in Mau when Abbas targeted a govt officer and his speech video went viral on social media, leading to the lodging of the case. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and fined Rs 2,000. His election agent, Mansoor Ansari, who was present on the stage during the rally, was also convicted and sentenced to six months in jail. After conviction, he was disqualified as member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The seat has now been declared vacant.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt readies ‘Rashtraneeti' to instil civic duties in students
New Delhi: Delhi govt is gearing up to launch its new civic education initiative, Rashtraneeti, to transform how students understand democracy, leadership and civic responsibility. Scheduled to roll out across all govt schools on Aug 15, the programme targets students from kindergarten to Class XII, embedding civic values into the heart of school life. "At the core of Rashtraneeti is a mission to instil ethical governance, democratic participation and national pride through active, student-led engagement," said an official. To ensure effective implementation, State Council of Educational Research and Training recently held an orientation for master trainers, who will lead the programme's rollout across schools and act as key conduits for the vision. Officials said the session was designed to familiarise trainers with the vision, structure and goals of the programme to ensure effective classroom delivery. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi In each school, at least seven student-run committees will be set up, including ones on environment, anti-bullying and school canteen management. These committees are designed to mimic real-world governance structures and foster collaborative problem-solving. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cyprus investments might surprise you Cyprus Investments | Search Ads Get Info Undo "Students will conduct elections, make decisions and implement plans while teachers will guide them in the background. This hands-on model offers a first-hand understanding of governance and builds essential life skills like leadership, teamwork and ownership," the official said. "This will not only give them insight into policymaking and governance but also nurture a strong sense of ownership, collaboration and active citizenship," he added. The initiative is expected to cover nearly every student in the Delhi govt school system, through either direct committee involvement or related sub-groups and school-level activities. Officials describe Rashtraneeti as an effort to build civic consciousness from the ground up, making governance a lived experience, not just a classroom concept. "Rashtraneeti also marks a shift in focus from some of AAP's earlier flagship education programmes like Happiness Curriculum, Business Blasters and Mission Buniyaad, which will be gradually replaced," the official said, adding that the change was part of a broader effort to make civic engagement a lived experience rather than a theoretical concept confined to textbooks. Delhi govt is also launching two other educational programmes: NEEEV (New Era of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Vision) and Science of Living. NEEEV seeks to spark entrepreneurial thinking in students from classes VIII to XII. Under it, students will participate in real-world innovation challenges such as 'startup stormers'—a multi-stage competition where they will develop, pitch and prototype their own business ideas. The programme will also feature 'NEEEV dialogues', a speaker series bringing in entrepreneurs and industry leaders to inspire the next generation of innovators.
