Maharashtra to Cancel Fake SC Certificates, Plans Strict Conversion Laws

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced Thursday that Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates fraudulently obtained by individuals from religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism will be revoked, with action against those who gained reservation benefits like jobs or electoral wins. Citing a November 2024 Supreme Court ruling, Fadnavis responded to BJP’s Amit Gorkhe’s claims of “crypto Christians” exploiting SC reservations.

The state will recover benefits secured through fraud and is planning stringent anti-conversion laws to address coercion and deceit, following a panel’s recommendations led by the Director General of Police. BJP’s Chitra Wagh raised concerns about women being misled into marriages with hidden religious identities, citing a tragic Sangli case.

Minister Pankaj Bhoyar confirmed a robust anti-conversion law is slated for the winter session. While consensual conversions are allowed, Fadnavis stressed that forced conversions, especially in slums as noted by BJP’s Pravin Darekar, will face strict investigation and penalties.

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