The High Court in Hyderabad has given important directions to the Telangana government. They have instructed the government to include a column for ‘No Caste’ and ‘No Religion’ in all types of applications, including those for education. The court has made it clear that everyone has the right to choose not to have a caste or religion, and it is wrong to restrict that freedom.
The issue came to light when a person named Sandepu Swaroop repeatedly requested the authorities to provide a No Caste, No Religion certificate for his son in 2019. Despite multiple appeals, the authorities did not consider his request. Another person also approached the High Court with a similar issue. Judge Justice Kanneganti Lalita conducted an inquiry into this matter.
The court stated that rejecting the petitioner’s request goes against the secular nature of the Constitution. It is a violation of Article 14, 19, 21, and 25. Under Article 25 of the Constitution, citizens have the right to freedom of religion, including the choice to not practice any religion or belong to any caste.
The court has recommended that the column for No Caste, No Religion should be included in all types of applications, whether offline or online. The judgment states that directions are being issued to municipal commissioners, the principal secretary of the school education department, and other government departments regarding this matter.
