AP high court issues notices to govt on SC certificates for pastors

Vijayawada: The high court on Tuesday issued notices to the state govt in the petition filed challenging the SC certificates given to pastors working in various churches across the state. The petitioner argued that according to the Supreme Court judgement in the Chintada Anand case, persons professing Christianity cannot claim SC status and benefits, and issuing SC certificates to such persons is illegal.One Peddireddy Prasanna Kumar, founder president of the Committee for Scheduled Castes Rights Protection, moved the high court challenging the inaction of the collectors of West Godavari and Eluru districts in taking action on the representation given by him seeking to cancel the SC caste certificates of those working as pastors.Arguing on behalf of the petitioners, Narra Srinivas sought directions to maintain registers at churches to record the details of those who were baptised. He said SC certificates issued to those who were baptised and professing Christianity should be cancelled in accordance with the apex court judgement. He also sought directions to take action against the officials who issued the certificates without following due diligence. Considering the submissions, Justice N Vijay issued notices to the state govt and posted the matter for further hearing to July 6.