New Delhi 1/7/2010: The Supreme Court issued notices to the Union government on a petition filed by All India Christian Federation challenging the validity of clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) order, 1950 (as amended from time to time), which denies the benefits of reservation to SC converts to Christianity, Islam, Jainism and Zoroastrianism.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice B S Chauhan issued notices after hearing counsel for the petitioners who contended that the impugned clause is a conspiracy by those sections of Hindu society who wants to stick to the age-old Hindu caste system exploiting SC, STs and the benefits of reservation cannot be denied on the basis of religion.

By the amendment and induction of clause 3, SCs who have been converted to Christianity to avoid humiliation, untouchability and oppression at the hands of upper caste Hindus, have been clubbed with upper caste Christians to deny them the benefits of reservations and other concessions available to Hindu SC, STs and thereby forcing them to reconvert to Hinduism.

The amendment has been made under Article 341 of the Constitution.