Chennai, Feb 2: In a recent ruling, the Madras High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by an individual seeking a ‘No Caste No Religion’ certificate from Revenue authorities. While appreciating the petitioner’s desire for such a certificate, Justice SM Subramaniam clarified that Revenue authorities lack the authority to issue certificates that state an individual does not belong to any religion or caste.The petitioner, Santhosh from Tirupattur district, expressed a commendable wish, but the court highlighted the potential ramifications of issuing such certificates. Justice Subramaniam emphasized that such certificates could have serious consequences, especially in the context of personal laws governing property inheritance and reservations in education and employment.
“The wish of the petitioner who has asked for a certificate of non-caste and religion is commendable, but the officials are not empowered to do so,” stated Justice SM Subramaniam. He further explained that the issuance of a ‘No Caste No Religion’ certificate could impact the application of personal laws, particularly in matters related to property inheritance and eligibility for reservations in educational and employment opportunities.
The court’s decision underscores the complexities surrounding the issuance of certificates related to caste and religion. Justice Subramaniam suggested that in applications for educational institutes, individuals can choose to leave the fields related to caste and religion unchanged, avoiding potential consequences.