2 days ago
HC to TN: Issue GO for ‘No caste, no religion' certificates
Chennai:
Madras high court
has directed the Tamil Nadu govt to issue an appropriate order enabling its revenue department to issue 'No Caste No Religion' certificates to applicants.
The court noted that citizens claiming such certificates is laudable and, in the long run, would promote the prohibition of caste-based discrimination.
It would also serve as an eye-opener for like-minded individuals, according to Justice M S Ramesh and Justice N Senthilkumar.
H Santhosh approached the court seeking a direction to the Thirupathur collector to issue such a certificate. On Feb 22, 2024, a single judge of the court dismissed his plea.
Aggrieved, he moved the present appeal, submitting that he intends to raise his children in a casteless and religion-free society.
He declared he never claimed any benefit from the govt under caste or religious reservation and does not intend to claim any benefits in the future.
Objecting to the appeal, the govt contended that tahsildars are not empowered to issue such a certificate. In response, the court pointed out three similar certificates issued by tahsildars of Tirupathur, Coimbatore, and Ambattur in 2019 and 2022.
The court stated that even when there is a constitutional mandate under Article 25, the revenue authorities cannot evade this constitutional obligation by citing the absence of any particular rule or GO.
Accordingly, the court called upon the govt to pass the necessary GO, with specific instructions to the revenue authorities to positively entertain applications seeking the grant of a certificate of "No Caste No Religion."
While the Constitution of India prohibits caste-based discrimination, the bench added that caste and religion still play a significant role in social life, politics, education, and employment through reservation policies.
