Request For No Caste, No Religion Certificate Can’t Be Considered Unless Litigant Relinquishes His Religion: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court was considering a writ petition filed by the petitioner seeking the issuance of a No-Caste, No Religion Certificate in his favour.
Justice Krishnan Ramasamy, Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has upheld the rejection of the request for the issuance of a No Cast, No Religion Certificate after noting that the litigant had not produced proof of relinquishment of his religion. The High Court held that such a request cannot be considered unless the party relinquishes his religion as per the Hindu Rites.
The High Court was considering a writ petition filed by the petitioner challenging the impugned order of the Tahsildar and seeking a direction to the Tahsildar to issue a No Cast, No Religion Certificate in his favour.
The Single Bench of Justice Krishnan Ramasamy held, “When this Court posed a question to the petitioner as to when the petitioner's parents belong to Hindu Religion and the petitioner belongs to Hindu Religion, whether the petitioner has relinquished his Hindu Religion, the answer is in negative. Unless and until, the petitioner has relinquished his religion as per the Hindu Rites, the petitioner's request could not be considered by the respondents. When such being the position, the issuance of such certificate does not arise.”
Advocate P.Surendran represented the Petitioner Government Advocate S.Jeyapriya represented the Respondents.
Factual Background
It was the petitioner’s case that his parents belong to Hindu Religion and the petitioner sought a certificate neither mentioning his caste nor his religion. However, the said request of the petitioner was turned down by the order of the Tahsildar.
Reasoning
The Court posed a question to the petitioner if the petitioner has relinquished his Hindu Religion and his answer was in negative. The Bench made it clear that the petitioner's request could not be considered by the respondents unless he relinquished his religion as per the Hindu Rites.
Considering that there was no proof for such relinquishment, the Bench stated, “When there is no proof to that extent is filed, this Court is not inclined to set aside the impugned order and issue a direction as prayed for. Accordingly, the writ petition stands dismissed.”
The Bench concluded the matter by stating that it was open for the petitioner to press for relinquishment of his religion, since he is a Hindu as of date, and his parents are also Hindus and produce proof for such relinquishment before the respondents. “If necessary application is made by the petitioner, thereafter with proof for relinquishment of the religion, the same may be considered in accordance with the rule, if any framed otherwise frame the necessary Rule and consider the application thereafter”, it ordered.
Cause Title: Chellamanickam v. The Principal Secretary (Case No.: WP(MD). No.4303 of 2026)