Andhra Pradesh cancels pastor’s SC certificate, says he practises Christianity

GUNTUR: Andhra Pradesh have cancelled the Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate of pastor Chintada Anand after concluding that he practised Christianity and, hence, ineligible for protections under constitutional provisions following the Supreme Court ruling in his case in March this year. This is likely the first SC certificate cancellation in the state after the verdict.The district scrutiny committee concluded that Anand was practising Christianity as a pastor. Based on the committee’s recommendations, Bapatla collector V Vinod Kumar issued notices asking Anand to explain why his SC certificate should not be cancelled.The controversy dates back to a land dispute in Kothapalem village of Pittalavanipalem mandal in Bapatla district in 2022.Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activist Akkala Ramireddy had approached authorities and later the high court seeking cancellation of Anand’s SC certificate, alleging that despite embracing Christianity he continued to claim SC status and benefits.Ramireddy had approached the High Court (HC) after a case under SCs & STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was booked against him and five others on Anand’s complaint.The HC ruled in favour of Ramireddy and quashed the case. Subsequently, Anand approached the Supreme Court, which also struck down his contention. The Supreme Court made it clear that no practicing christian could avail of protection as SC. Armed with the verdict, Ramireddy approached the district administration seeking cancellation of Anand’s SC certificate.After detailed process and the final hearing held recently, the collector issued orders cancelling the SC certificate of Anand.Sources said Anand has been given an opportunity to file an appeal against the collector’s decision before the state-level authority.The AP assembly deputy speaker K Raghurama Krishnam Raju has been demanding that SC reservation facility to all those going to church should be cancelled without any delay. He said that allowing practising Christians to enjoy the benefits as SCs was depriving the actual poor SCs.However, Anand said he would continue his fight against the cancellation at an appropriate forum. “I was born into an SC family, which can’t be altered. I have only changed my faith. Cancellation of SC certificate is arbitrary and unjust,” said Anand.