The Kerala Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has directed the state’s Revenue Department to ensure that applications for caste, religion and community certificates filed by adults are not rejected solely because their school records do not mention their caste or religion.
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Judicial Member Justice K. Baijunath has instructed the Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department to issue clear guidelines to revenue officials across the state, directing them to process such applications strictly in accordance with the law. The Commission has also asked the department to submit a compliance report within two months, detailing the steps taken to implement the order.
The directive came after a public interest petition pointed out that many progressive parents and interfaith couples intentionally leave the caste and religion columns blank while admitting their children to school. As these children grow up, particularly those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), many reportedly face difficulties obtaining caste certificates and are denied reservation benefits guaranteed under the Constitution.
The petition further stated that while several parents had themselves benefited from reservation policies and secured better educational and employment opportunities, their children were later deprived of the same constitutional rights because their school records did not mention caste or religion.
After examining a report submitted by the Revenue Department, the Commission noted that the absence of caste or religion details in an individual’s SSLC certificate does not prevent that person, after attaining adulthood, from identifying with the caste or religion of either parent. The report clarified that authorities can issue a caste certificate after conducting a proper inquiry into the applicant’s beliefs, customs and practices, and confirming that the relevant community recognises the individual as one of its members.
The report also reaffirmed that every individual has the constitutional right to change their religion. Those who do so may apply to update their name and religion in official records and publish the change in the Government Gazette. Where necessary, revenue authorities may verify the applicant’s religious beliefs and practices before issuing a religion certificate.
However, the petitioner informed the Commission that Tahsildars and Village Officers have often refused to process such applications simply because the caste or religion columns were left blank in SSLC records.
Justice Baijunath observed that unless the government’s legal position is formally communicated through an official order or circular, such rejections are likely to continue. The Commission therefore directed the Revenue Department to ensure that all existing laws, government orders and legal provisions governing the issuance of caste and religion certificates are uniformly implemented across the state.
The order was issued on a public interest petition filed by A.C. Francis, a resident of Karaparamba in Kozhikode.
