MRS. VALSAMMA PAUL ETC. versus COCHIN UNIVERSITY AND ORS. ETC.

MRS. VALSAMMAPAULETC.

COCHIN UNIVERSITY Af.:!D ORS. ETC. ()> JANUARY 4, 1996

[K. RAMASWAMY AND B.L. I-IANSARJA, JJ.]

Constiturion of India, 1950 : Articles 15(4) and 16(4)

Reservation-Backward cll!ss-Syrian Catholic Lady o.f forward class--/Vfarrying Latin Catholic Backward class .fisher1nen-Her appoint-n1e11t against reserved post as lecturer--Held not valid-Held she was llOf entitled to the bene.fit o_f reservation given to Latin Catholics o_f back\-vard class-Her recognition as me1nber o_f Latin Ca1holics held not relevanl .for the purposes o.f her entitle1nent to reservation.

Social lnteRration :

Inter-caste, /11ter-sect and Inter-religion marriages--/mportance o.f

The appellant, syrian catholic by birth (a forward 'class) was married to person who was latin catholic (Backward class) fishermen). She was appointed as lecturer in the Law Department of Coch.in University against post reserved for latin catholics (backward class fishermen). Her appointment was challenged on the ground that she was not entitled to the benefit of reservation under Article 16(4) of the Consti-tution. Single Judge of the High court held that the appellant's appoint-ment was not valid. On appeal the appellant relied on the judgment of Single Judge in Dr. Kanjamma Alex v. Public Service Commission, (1980) KLT 18; which later stood upheld in Public Service Commission v. Dr. Kaniamma Alex, (1981) KLT 24. Doubting the correctness of the decision of the Division Bench, the matter was referred to the Full Bench. The Full Bench in its Judgment held that being syrian Catholic by birth the appellant cannot claim the status of backward class by marriage. The Full Bench further held that the special provisious under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution intended for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens cannot be defeated by including candidates by alliance or by any other mode of joining the community. Accordingly, the Full Bench overruled the decision of the Division Bench and of the Single Judge.

V. PAUL (MRS.) '· COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS.

In appeal to this Court it was contended for the appellant that : (i) she married backward class and had entered into the marital home of her husband and was received and recognised by the community as member of Latin Catholic. Due to her marriage, she has subjected herself and suffered all the environmental disabilities to which her husband was subjected and to which all other members of backward class in the region are subjected to. She cannot, therefore, be discriminated by denying equality given by Article 16(4) of the Constitution; (ii) birth by itself was not determinative factor for claiming Protective disc.rimination given to the backward classes. Environmental and social disabilities are also relevant factors.

·on behalf of the respondents it was contended that (1) Articles 16(4) and 15(4) are intended to remove handicaps and disadvantages suffered by backward class citizens due to social and educational backwardness like the members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. Therefore, persons who by birth belong to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Backward Classes alone were entitled to the benefit of Articles 16(4) and 15(4). By marriage, adoption or any other device, viz., by procuring false social status certificates, they were not eligible to avail of protective discrimina~ tion for appointment to an office or to post under the State or admission in educational institution; (ii) mere recognition of and acceptance by the community after her marriage is not relevant for the purpose of availing of the benefit of Articles 16(4) and 15(4).

Dismissing the appeals, this Court

HELD : 1. The Full Bench had rightly concluded that the appellant is not entitled to the benefit of reservation under Article 16(4) as lecturer which post was reserved for the backward class Latin Catholic community. The orders of the Division Bench and the Single Judge are set aside. The Full Bench judgement stands confirmed. [154-C-D]

State of Kamataka v. Appa Bali lngale & Ors., AIR (1993) SC 1126; C.M. Arumugam v. S. Rajagopal & Ors., [1976] 1 SCC 863; Soosai v. Union of India, AIR (1986) SC 733; Prindpal, Guntar Medical College, Guntar v. Y. Mohan Rao, [1976] 3 SCR 1046; N.E. Hero v. Jahan Ara Jai Pal Singh, [1972] 3 SCR 361; Indra Sawlmey v. Union of India, [1992] Suppl. 3 SCC 217; Kai/ash Sonkar v. Smt. Maya Devi, AIR (1984) SC 600; Kumari Madhuri Patil & Anr. v. Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development &

[1996] 1 S.C.R.

Ors., [1994] 6 SCC 241 and Director of Tribal Wel{l1re, Government of Andhra Pradesh v. Laveti Giri & Anr., JT (1995) 3 SC 684; referred to.

Smt. D. Neelima v. The Dean of P.G. Studies, A.P. Agricultural University, Hyderabad & Ors., AIR (1993) A.P. 229; Unnila Ginda v. Union of India, 1975 Delhi 115; Mrs. Vaishali v. Union of India, (1978) 80 BLR 182; P. Malikarjunadev & Ors. v. Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, (1989) 3 ALT 50; A. S. Sailaia v. Kumool Medical College, Kumool & Ors., AIR (1989) AP 209; VB. Rao v. Priizcipal, Osmania Medical College, AIR (1986) AP 197; K. Shantha Kumar v. State of Mysore, (1971) 1 Mys. L.J. 21; Nataraja v. Selection Committee, (1972) 1 Mys. L.J. 226 and R. Srinivasa v. Chair-C man, Selection Committee, AIR (1981) Karnataka 86, approved.

Dr. Kaniamma Alex v. Public Service Commission, (1980) KLT 18; Public Service Commission v. Dr. Kanjamma Alex, (1981) KLT 24; Khazan Singh v. Union of India, AIR (1980) Delhi 60, overruled.

Pandaiya Ta/aver v. Puli Telaver (1) Mad. 478, cited.

2. The recognition of the appellant by the member of Latin Catholic is not relevant for the purpose of her entitlement to the reservation under Article 16(4) for the reason that she, as member of the forward caste, had advantageous start in life and after her completing education and becoming major married person of backward class; and so, she is not entitled to the benefit of reservation given to the Latin Catholic, backward class. [153-H; 154-A]

3. The concepts of "equality before law" and "equal protection of the law" guaranteed by Article 14 and its species Articles 15(4) and 16(4) aim at establishing social and economic justice in political democracy to all sections of the society, to eliminate inequalities in status and to provide facilities and opportunities not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of citizens to secure adequate means of livelihood and to promote with spf!cial care the economic and educational interest of the weaker sections of the people, in particular, Dalits and Tribes so as to protect them from social injustices and all forms of exploitation. Articles 15( 4) and 16( 4), therefore, intend to remove social and economic inequal-ity to make equal opportunities available in reality. Social and economic justice is right enshrined for the protection of society. The right to social and economic justice envisaged in the preamble and elongated in the

V PAUL (MRS.) v. COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS.

Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of the Constitution, in par-ticular, Articles 14, 15, 16, 21, 38, 39 and 46 of the Constitution, is to make the equality of the life of the poor, disadvantage and disabled citizens of the society, meaningful. (136-F-H; 137-A; D·E]

4. The Dalits and Tribes suffered social and economic disabilities recognised by Articles 17 and 15(2). Consequently they became socially, culturally and educationally backward; the OBCs also suffered social and educational backwardness. The object of reservation is to remove these handicaps, disadvantages, sufferings and restrictions to which the mem-bers of the Dalits or Tribes or OBCs were subjected to and sought to bring them in the mainstream of the nation's life by providing them opportuni-C ties and facilities. (151-E-G]

5. Education, employment and economic empowerment are some of the programmes, the State has evolved and also provided reservation in admission into educational institutions, or in case of other economic benefits under Articles 15(4) and 46, or in appointment to an office or post under the State under Article 16(4). Therefore, when member is transplanted into the Dalits, Tribes and OBCs, he/she must of necessity also undergo same handicaps, be subject to the same disabilities, disadvantages, indignities or sufferings so as to entitle the candidate to avail the facility or reservation. candidate who had the advantageous start in life being born in forward caste and had march of advantageous life but is trans-planted in backward caste by adoption or marriage or conversion, does not become eligible to the benefit of reservation either under Article 15(4) or 16(4), as the case may be. Acquisition of the status of Scheduled Caste etc. by voluntary mobility into these categories would play fraud on the Constitution, and would frustrate the benign constitutional policy under Articles 15(4) or 16(4) of the Constitution. (151-H; 152-A-C]

Murlidhar Dayandeo Kesekar v. Vishwanath Pandu, JT (1995) 3 SC 563 and R. Chandevarappa v. State of Kamataka, JT (1995) 7 SC 93, referred to.

6. The institution of marriage is one of the sound social institutions to

bring harmony and integration in Social fabric. The Shastric law among Hindus has undergone change, in the rigidity of shastric prescriptions. In relation to interest succession of property, marriage, adoption and mainte-nance among Hindus, they are brought under statutory operation appro-priately underpinning the rigid shastric prohibitions, restrictions to oper-

[1996] 1 S.C.R.

ate in harmony with Universal Dedaration of Human Rights and constitu-tional rights. Inter-caste marriages and adoption are two important social institutions through which secularism would find its fruitful and solid base for an egalitarian social order under the Constitution. Therefore, due rec-ognition should be accorded for social mobility and integration and ac-cordingly its recognition must be upheld as valid law. [149-G-H; 150-A; F]

7. The approach in reconciling diverse practices, customs and tradi-tions of the marriages as one of the means for social and national unity and integrity and establishment of Indian culture for harmony, a;ruty and self respect to the individuals, is the encou~agement to inter-caste, inter-sect, inter-religion marriages from inter-region. The purposive interpretation would, therefore, pave way to establish secularism and secular State.

Usha M. Apte, "The Sacrament of Marriage in Hindu Society From Vedic period to Dharmasastras" 19"18 Ed. P. 13; G. Banerjee, "Hindu Law of Marriage and Stridhana" 2nd Ed. 1896, p.68-69; Dr. Paras Diwan, "Law of Marriage and Divorce", 2nd Edn. p. 75; Arnn Shouri, "Religion in Politics" 1986 P. 332-333, referred to. [147-F]

8. The Constitution seeks to establish secular socialist democratic republic in which every citizen has equality of status and of opportunity, to promote among the people dignity of the individual, unity and integrity of the nation transcending them from caste, sectional religious barriers fostering fraternity among them in an integrated Bharat. The emphasis, therefore, is on citizen to improve excellence and equal status and dignity of person. With the advancement of human rights and constitu-tional philosophy of social and economic democracy in democratic polity to all the citizens on equal footing, secularism has been held to be one of the basic features of the Constitution, and egalitarian social order is its foundation. Unless free mobility of the people is allowed transcending sectional, caste~ religious or regional barriers, establishment of secU.lar socialist order becomes difficult. [143-B-D]

S.R. Bommai v. Union ~(India, [1994] 3 SCC 1, referred to.

9. Pluralism is the keynote of Indian culture and religious tolerance . is the bedrock of Indian secularism. It is based on the belief that all religions are equally good and efficacious pathways to perfection or God-realisation. It stands for comple~ interpretive process in which there is transcendence of religion and yet there is unification of multiple

V PAUL (MRS.) '· COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS.

religions. It is bridge between religions in multi-religious society to cross over the barriers of their diversity Secularism is the basic feature of the Constitution as guiding principle of State policy and action. Secularism in the positive sense is the cornerstone of an egalitarian and forward looking society which our Constitution endeavours to establish. It is the only possible basis of uniform and durable national identity in multi-religious and socially disintegrated society . It is fruitful means for conflict-resolution and harmonious and peaceful living. It proVides sense of security to the followers of all religions and ensures full civil liberties, constitutional rights and equal opportunities. [147-G-H; 148-A-B)

10. Human rights are derived from the dignity and worth inherent in the human person. Human rights and fundamental freedoms have been reiterated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are inter-dependent and have mutual reinforcement. The human rights for women, including girl child are, therefore, inalienable, integral and indi-visible part of universal human rights. The full development of person-ality and fundamental freedoms and equal participation by women in political, social, economic and cultural life are concomitants for national development, social and family stability and growth-culture, social and economical. All forms of discrimination on grounds of gender is violative of fundamental freedoms and human rights. [148-C-D]

11. In the light of the ConstitutionaVphilosophy of social integrity and national unity, right to equality assured by the human rights and the Constitution of India, on marriage by man and woman, they become members of the family and entitled to the social status as married couple, recognition per se is not pre-condition but entitled to be considered, when evidence is available. It is common knowledge that with education or advance of economic status, young men and women marry against the wishes of parents and in many cas~ consent or recognition would scarcely be given by either or both of the parties or parents of both spouses. Recognition by family or community is not pre-condition for married status. [151-C-E)

Mussumat Bhoobun Moyee Debia v. Ramkishore Achari Chowdhary, (1865) 10 MIA 279 and Lally Bhoy v. Cassibai, (1979-80) 7 IA 212, referred to.

[1996] l S.C.R.

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 3163-64 of 1995 Etc.

From the Judgment and Order dated 18.1.95 of the Kerala High Court in W.A. Nos. 416 & 187 of 1992.

K.M.K. Nair and R. Satish for the Appellants.

S.A. Syed for State of Kerala, C. N. Sreekumar, G. Prakash and Navin Prakash for the Cochin University for Intervenor.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

K. RAMASWAMY, J. C.A. Nos. 3163-64195. These appeals by special leave arise from the judgment dated January 18, 1995 of the Full Bench of the Kerala High Court in writ appeal Nos. 416 and 187 of 1992. The Division Bench, doubting the correctness of the judgment in Public Service Commis-sion v. Di: Kanjamma Alex, (1981) KLT 24, (subject matter of CA No. 1197/ 81) had referred the question to the Full Bench. Facts lie in short compass and are stated as under :

Two posts of Lecturers in Law Department of Cochin University were notified for recruitment, one of which was reserved for Latin Catholics (Backward Class-Fishermen). The appellant, Syrian Catholic (a forward class), having married Latin Catholic, had applied for selection as reserved candidate. The University selected her on that basis and accordingly appointed her against the reserved post. Her appointment was questioned by one Rani George by filing Writ Petition, viz., O.P. No. 9450/91 praying for direction to the University to appoint her in place of the appellant to the said post. The learned single Judge allowed the writ petition of Rani George and held that the appointment should be made strictly in accordance with Rules 14 to 17 of the Kerala State Subordinate Service Rules. When appeals were filed, the appellant cited the judgment single Judge in Dr. Kaniamma Alex v. Public Service Commission, (1980) KLT 18 which later stood upheld in Public Service Commission v. Dr. Kan;ama Alex, ( 1980) KLT 24. As stated earlier, doubting the correctness of the decision of the Division Bench in Dr. Kanjamma Alex's case, the reference to the Full Bench had come to be made.

The Full Bench in the impugned judgment held that though the appellant was married according to the Canon Law, the appellant, being Syrian Catholic by birth, by marriage with Latin Catholic (Backward Class),

V. PAUL (MRS.I" COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS. [K. RAMASWAMY, J.] 135

is not member of that class nor can she claim the status as backward class by marriage. The special provisions under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution intended for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens cannot be defeated by including candidates by alliance or by any other mode of joining the community. It would tantamount to making mockery of the constitutional exercise of identification of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens. Accordingly, the Full Bench overruled the decision of the Division Bench and of the single Judge referred to hereinbefore. The appeal challenging the Division Bench Judge-ment in respect of Dr. Kanjamma Alex, (Civil Appeal No. 1197/81) is placed before us alongwith these appeals.

The question is one of constitutional importance to harmonize the personal law of the citizens and the constitutional goal, viz., to accord equal opportunity to the disadvantaged social segments, envisaged in Articles 16(4) and 15(4) of the Constitution. Shri T.L.V. Iyer, learned senior counsel for the appellant, contended that though the appellant is Syrian Catholic (a forward class) by birth and had voluntarily married J. Yesudas, Latin Catholic (Fishermen community), admittedly backward class, she had entered into the marital home of her husband in the year 1982 and was received and recognised by the community as member of the Latin Catholic. Due Io her marriage, she has subjected herself and suffered all the environmental disabilities to which her husband, J. Yesudas, was subjected and to which all other members of backward class in the region are subjected to. She cannot,, therefore, be discriminated by denying equality given by Article 16(4) of the Constitution. He elaborated the contention arguing that birth by itself is not determinative factor for claiming protective discrimi-nation given to the backward classes. Environmental and social disabilities are also relevant. factor to which the appellant had volunteered by subjecting herself to them and that, therefore, she is entitled to the same treatment as is available to the Latin Catholics (Fishermen) to which she was transplanted by marriage according to Canon Law. Therefore, the view of the Full Bench is not correct in law. He placed strong reliance on the Judgment of this Court in Principal, Guntur Medical College, Gwztur v. Y. Mohan Rao, [l 976] 3 SCR 1046 and N.E. Hero v. Jahan Ara Jai Pal Singh, (1972] 3 SCR 361.

Y. Mohan Rao, [l 976] 3

Shri Nambiar, learned senior counsel on behalf of the respondents, contended that Articles 16(4) and 15(4) are intended to remove handicaps and disadvantages suffered by backward class citizens due to social and educational backwardness like the members of Scheduled Castes and

The riv~l contentions give rise to the question of harmonising the conflict belween the personal law and the constitutional animation behind Articles 16(4) and 15(4) of the Constitution. The concepts of "equality before Jaw" and "equal protection of the laws" guaranteed by Article 14 and its species Articles 15(4) and 16(4) aim at establishing social and economic justice in political democracy to all sections of the society, to eliminate inequalities in status and to provide facilities and opportunities not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people belonging to Scheduled Castes (for short 'Dalits'J, Scheduled Tribes (for short 'Tribes') and Other backward Classes of citizens (for short OBCs) to secure adequate means of livelihood and to promote with special care the economic and educational [interests ][of ][the weaker sections of the people, in particular, Dalits and Tribes ]

V PAUL (MRS.),_ COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS. [K. RAMASWAMY,!.] 137 so as to protect the1n fro1n social injustice and all forms of exploitation. By 42nd Constitution (A1ncnd1nent) Act,. secularism and socialism were brought in the Preamble of the Constitution to realise that in democracy unless all sections of the society are provided facilities and opportunities to participate in political democracy irrespective of caste, religion, and sex, political democracy would nol last long. Dr. Ambedkar in his closing speech on the drati Constitution stated on November 25, 1949 that "what we must do is not to be attained with 1nere political democracy; we must 1nake. our. political den1ocracy social democracy as well, Political de1nocracy cannot last unless there lies on the base of it social democracy". Social democracy means "a way of life which recognises liberty, equality and fraternity as principles of life". They are not separate items in trinity but they form union of trinity. To diversify one from the other is to defeat the very purpose of democracy. Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity, liberty and equality could not become nalural course of things. Articles 15(4) 16(4), therefore, intend to remove social and economic inequality to make equal opportunities available in reality. Social" and economic justice is right enshrined for the protection of society. The right to social and economic justice envisaged in the Preamble and elongated in the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of the Constitution, in particular, Articles 14, 15, 16, 21, 38, 39 and 46 of the Constitution, is to make the quality of the life of the poor, disadvantaged and disabled citizens of the society, meaningful. Equal protection in Article 14 requires affirmaLive action for those unequals by providing facilities and opportunities. While Article 15(1) prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, Article 15(4) enjoins upon th~ State, despite the above injunction and the one provided in Article 29(2), to make special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Dalits and Tribes. Equally, while Article 16(1) guarantees equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State, Article 16(4) enjoins upon the Stale to make provision for reservation for these section& which in the opinion of the State are not adequately represented in the services under the State. Article 335 of the Constitution mandates that claims of the members of the Dalits and Tribes shall be taken into consideration m making appointments to services and p9sts in connection with affairs of the Union or of State consistent with the malntenance.of efficiency of administration. Therefore, this Court interpreted that equal protection guaranteed by Articles

[1996] 1 S.C.R.

14, 15(1) and 16(1) is required to operate consistently with Articles 15(4), 16(4), 38, 39, 46 and 335 of the Constitution, vide per majority in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India, [ 1992] Supp. 3 SCC 217 known as Manda/ case. In other words, equal protection requires affinnative action for those unequals handicapped due to historical facts of untouehability practiced for millennium which is abolished by Article 17; for Tribes living away from our national mainstream due to social and educational backwardness of OBCs.

In Kai/ash Sankar v. Smt. Maya Devi, AIR (1984) SC 600 Bench of three Judges of this Court, considering the historical perspective confronting the framers of the Constitution in drafting fhe Constitution, stated that one of the important objectives to be translated into action was to take special care of the backward classes and members of the Dalits and Tribes by bringing them to the fore through pragmatic actions and providing adequate opportunities for their amelioration and development, education, employ-ment and the like. Hindu social structure was erected by impregnable walls of separation with graded inequalities between different sections amongst Hindus. Caste became the result of birth and not of volition. No one wishes to be born in particular caste or religion. It is the result of biological act of the parents. However, in Hindu social structure also, caste is the result of birth and has become bane for individual drive, thrive and improvement of excellence, fundamental duty under Article 5 IA(j). The practice of untouchability, which had grown for centuries, denuded social and economic status and cultural life of the Dalits and the programmes evolved under Articles 14, 15(2), 15(4) and 16(4) aimed to bring Dalits into national mainstream by providing equalitarian facilities and opportunities. They are designated as "Scheduled Castes" by definition under Article 366(24) and "Scheduled Tribes" under Article 366(25) read with Articles 341 and 342 respectively. The constitutional philosophy, policy and goal are to remove handicaps, disabilities, suffering restrictions or disadvantages to which Dalits/ Tribes are subjected, to bring them into the national mainstream by providing facilities and opportunities for fhem. As to OBCs, fheir identification was delegated to Commission appointed under article 340.

In Manda/ case, identifying fhe backward classes of citizens, per majority, this Court at page 714 para 779 had held that caste is nothing but social class - "a social homogeneous class. It is also an occupational grouping, with this difference that its membership is hereditary. One is born into it. Its membership is involuntary. Even if one ceases to follow that

V. PAUL (MRS.)'· COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS. [K. RAMASWAMY, J.] 139 occupation, still he remains and continues to be member of that group. To repeat, it is socially and occupationally homogeneous class. Endoga1ny is its main characteristic. Its social status and standing depends upon the natures of the occupation followed by it; lowlier the occupation lowlier the social standing of the class in the graded hierarchy. In rural India, occupation-castc nexus is true even today. few members may have gone to cities or even abroad but when they ~eturn, they do, -barring few exceptions, go into the same fold again. It does not matter if he bas earned money. 1;e may not follow that particular occupation. Still, the label remains. His identity is not changed. It is his social class, the caste, that is relevant."In para 784 at page 717, it was further held . that reservation under Article 16(4) is not made in favour of 'caste' but backward class. Once caste satisfies the criteria of backwardness, it becomes backward class for the purpose of Article 16(4). Even that is not eaough. It must further be found that the backward class is not adequately represented in the services of the State. It would, therefore, be for the authority constituted under Article 340 or the appropriate authority to identify the backward class eligible for entitlement under Article 16(4). It would thus be seen that the D1lits, Tribes and identified backward classes of citizens who are not adequately repre-sented in service or office under the State are eligible to be considered under Article 16(1) read with Article 16 (4). Equally under Article 15(4) for admission in educational institutions and in other programmes.

The question, therefore, is : Whether candidate, by marriage, adoption or obtaining false certificate of social status would be entitled to an identification' as such member of the class for appointment to post reserved under Article 16(4) or for an admission in an educational institution under Article 15( 4 )? In Kumari Madhuri Patil & Anr. v. Add/. Commissioner, Tribal Development & Ors., [1994] SCC 241, the appellants were deughters of one Laxman Patil who was Hindu Koly (forward class). They obtained social status certificates as Mahadeo !<.oli, Scheduled Tribe and were admitted into Medical college. When it was found that they belonged to forward class, their adntissions were cancelled and writ petitions were dismissed culminating in the aforesaid judgment. This Court had held that for the purpose of entitle-ment to aamission under Article 15( 4 ), the identification by the President as Scheduled Tribe under Article 342(1) subject to the law under Article 342(2) as amended by the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Amend-ment) Act 1976, is conclusive. In other words, this Court had not accorded

[1996) l S.C.R.

to member of forward class, by obtaining false certificate the status of Scheduled Tribe. Admission given on the basis of false certificate was declared unconstitutional.

Director (If Tribunal Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh v. Laveti Giri & Anr., JT ( 1995) 3 SC 684, is equally instructive. Therein, the father of the respondent who was Government servant obtained false certificate that his son was Scheduled Tribe and got the respondent admitted in Engineering College. Father was Kapu (a forward class in Andhra Pradesh) and certificate obtained was as Konda Kapu, Scheduled Tribe. It was held that the false claim by fraud played by the guardian disentitled the candidate to the social status as Schedule Tribe.

In Telangana Region of Andhra Pradesh, Holva Community is backward class. They sought to obtain social status as Holuva, Scheduled Tribe. The Collector issued memo to the Tahsildar not to issue certificate to thent. When validity of the memo was questioned, A.P. High Court in Andhra Holwa Society v. Union o,f/ndia and Ors., in Writ Petition No. 17011 of 1984 dated 28.2.1986 held that the class exodus of one class of citizens as tribes on names of synonimity is impermissible. Similarly, Jangama community/ backward class sought certificates as Scheduled Castes (Bcda or Budaga Jangarna). The same .High Court in P. Hallikarjunadev & Ors. v. Govt., o,f Andhra Pradesh, [1989) 3 A.LT. 50, held that they are not entitled to social status certificates. It would thus be dear that there are attempts of transplan-tation of forward classes to backward classes. Instead of integrated forward march, it is retrograde reverse march from forward to backward status to claim reservations.

In A.S. Sailaja v. Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool & Ors., AIR (1986) A.P. 209, the petitioner, daughter of A.S. Radhakrishna, an advocate of Cuddapah in Andhra Pradesh, had initially appeared for Common Entrance Examination for 1984-85 for admission into medical College but failed. For the Common Entrance Examination for 1985-86 she described herself to be daughter of natural father Radhakrishna but in the application for admission made on July 13, 1985, she claimed that she was adopted by one B. Sivararnaiah, (Shepard), backward class in Andhra Pradesh and sought admission on that basis. She secured 417 marks out of 600 and when she claimed to be. O.B.C., but was not given admission, she filed writ petition in A.P. High Court for direction to the College to admit her as backward class group-D. The High Court considered the inter-play of adoption under

V PAUL (MRS.) v. COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS. [K. RAMASWAMY,!.] 141 the Hindu Adoption and maintenance Act, 1956 and the protective discrimi-A nation under Article 15(4). It held that the native endowments of men are by no means equal. The mind of children b~ought up in culturally, educationally and economically advanced atmosphere, is accounted highly as they are bound to start the race of life with advantages. It would apparently have its inevitable profound effect on the quality of the child born in that atmosphere. The children born amongst backward classes would not start the race of life with the same quality of life. It would, therefore, be necessary to identify the competing interests between diverse sections of the society and it is the duty of the Court to strike balance bet ween competing claims of different interests. Citizens belonging to group of backward classes identified by the appropriate authority or the commission, as part of that class, fulfilling the traits of socially and educationally backwardness among that group, would alone be eligible for admission as backward class citizens under Article 15(4). In that event,. the Court declined to go into the question whether such person is socially or educationally backward which is an exclusive function of the commission/authority appointed under Article 340 of the Constitution. But any person who would attempt, by process of law and seeks to acquire the status of such backward class should satisfy that he/she suffered the same handicaps or disadvantages due to social, educational and cultural backwardness. person born in upper caste and having early advantages of education is not entitled to the benefit of Article 15(4). In that context, it was held that caste will be one of the considerations along with other factors applicable to homogeneous group of the people. homogeneous group together be_ing identifying as class for the purpose of Article 15(4) or 16(4) would become mockery. Therefore, it was held that the petitioner, though by adoption became member of the backward class, was not eligible for admission into medical college under Article 15(4) since she did not undergo any sufferings or disadvantages, handicaps or ignominy to which the mem-bera of the homogeneous backward class are subjected to.

It was further held that in interpreting the provisions of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act 1956, and the Constitution, the balance is to be struck to maintain secularism and mobility of castes for national iritegration ensuring inter-caste marriages or adoption from one caste to another, allowing enough lee way for free mobility and integration of all sections of the society as homogeneous group. At the same time, the Court required to construe the provisions of the Act and the. Constitution t~ reconcile the right of the individual and the society's right, namely, social

justice. In writ petition No. 11914/85 (spouse of inter-caste marriage) and Writ Petition No. 14875/85 (adoption of backward class boy 10 Scheduled Tribe) disposed of on the same day, it was held in separate judgment that they were not eligible for admission under Article 15(4). In V.B. Rao v. Principal, Osmania Medical College, AIR (1986) A.P. 197, Velama (forward caste) was held not eligible for admission as Kappula Velama (O.B.C.). In K. Shantha Kumar v. State of Mysore, (1971) 1 Mys. L. J. 21; Nataraja v. Selection Committee, (1972) 1 Mys. L. J. 226 and R. Srinivasa v. Chairman Selection Committee, AIR ( 1981) Kamataka 86, the Kamataka High Court consistently had held that on adoption boy, belonging to forward caste by backward class citizen, is not entitled to the benefit of reservation under Article 15(4).

In Smt. D. Neelima v. The Dean of P.G. Studies, A.P. Agricultural University, Hyderabad & Ors., AIR 1993 A.P. 229, the appellant, Reddy by birth (Reddy caste is forward caste in A.P.) married to Erukala boy (basket weaving community, Scheduled Tribe in A.P.) was living in her marital home since her marriage. She sought admission into M. Sc. (Home Science) in Agricultural University as Scheduled Tribe. She filed writ petition for direction for admission. The learned single Judge dismissed the writ petition holding that by "anuloma" marriage she was not entitled to the same status as that of the tribe. In another writ petition No. 1313 of 1992, the petitioner lady born in Vysya community (Business community) was married to Bestha (fishermen community - backward class - category). She applied for admission into Post-Graduate Medical Course (D.C.H.) under the quota reserved for Backward Class - Group. Her writ petition was allowed by learned single Judge holding that marriage was not an agreement. It is sacrament. After marriage she was no more member of her parents' family but became member of her husband's family. Therefore, she was entitled to be member of the backward class. The diverse views were challenged before the Division Bench which had held that though on marriage the girls become members of their husbands' families snapping all their ties from parental homes and acquire the status as Scheduled Tribe or backward class, they are not entitled, by virtue of marriage, to the right to reservation envisaged under Article 15(4) of the Constitution. Similar view was taken in Urmila Ginda v. Union of India, AIR (1975) Delhi ll5 and Mrs. Vaishali v. Union of India, (1978) 80 BLR 182, wherein the Delhi and Bombay High Courts respectively had held that ladies belonging to the upper caste married to the Scheduled Caste.men were not entitled to the reservation under Article 16(4). In Khazan Singh v. Union of India, AIR 1980 Delhi 60 single Judge of the

V PAUL (MRS.) v. COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS. [K. RAMASWAMY, J.J 143 Delhi High Court had held that on adoption of jat boy into Scheduled Caste family, he became entitled to the benefit of reservation under Section 16(4).

The Constitution seeks to establish secular socialist democratic repub-lic in which every citizen has equality of status and of opportunity, to promote among the people dignity of the individual, unity and integrity of the nation transcending them from caste, sectional, religious barriers fostering fraternity among them in an integrated Bharat. The emphasis, therefore, is on citizen to improve excellence and equal status and dignity of person. With the advancement of human rights and constitutional philosophy of social and economic democracy in democratic polity to all the citizens on equal footing, secularism has been held to be one of the basic features of the Constitution (Vide : S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, (1994) 3 SCC 1 and egalitanan social order is its foundation. Unless free mobility of the people is allo\ved transcending sectional, caste, religious or regional barriers, estab-lishment of secular socialist order becomes difficult. In State of Kamataka v. Appa Balu lngale & Ors., AIR (1993) SC 1126 this Court has held in paragraph 34 that judiciary acts as bastion of the freedom and of the rights of the people. The Judges are participants in the living stream 0f national life, steering the Jaw bet ween the dangers of rigidity and formlessness in the seemless web of life. Judge must be jurist endowed with the legislator's wisdom, historian's search for truth, prophet's vision, cJ.pacity to respond to the needs of the present, resilience to cope with the demands of the future to decide objectively, disengaging himself/herself from every personal influ-ence or predilections. The Judges should adapt purposive interpretation of the dynamic concepts under the Constitution and the act with its interpretive armoury to articulate the felt necessities of the time. Social legislation is not document for fastidious dialects but means of ordering the life of the people. To construe law one must enter into its spirit, its setting and history. Law should be capable to expand freedom of the people and the legal order can weigh with utmost equal care to provide the underpinning of the highly inequitable social order. Judicial review must be exercised with insight into social values to supplement the changing social needs. The existing social inequalities or imbalances are required to be removed re-adjusting the social order through rule of law. In that case, the need for protection of right to take water, under the civil Rights Protection Act, and the necessity to uphold the constitutional mandate of abolishing untouchability and its practice in any form was emphasised.

Usha M. Apte in her "The Sacrament of Marriage in Hindu Society from

[1996] l S.C.R ..

Vedic period to Dharmsastras" (1978 Ed.) stated at page 13 that inter-caste marriages were prevalent in the period of Rig Veda. She quoted thus :

"Savasva, Kaksivat and Vimada all belonged to Brahmin families but they married daughters of the kings i.e. Ksatriya girls. Even Cyavana married Ksatriya girl. On the other hand Sasvati i.e. daughter of the sage Angirasa, was married to king Asanga. The king Svanaya Bhavaya-vya i.e. brother-in-law of Kaksivat was mar-ried to Brahmani wife of Angirasa (of VIII. 1.34). Even marriage of Yayati and Devayani (X. 63. 1) is of the same type i.e. Ksatriya male marrying Brahinani."

From the Brahmanas and the Upanishads, she also quoted at page 41 thus :

"Mahidasa Aitareya was the seer of the Aitareya Brahmana. He was the son of Itara i.e. mother who was other than Brahmani. The word can be interpreted also as 'son of Itara', In this case he would be child born of extra-marital connections."

At page 189 she stated that although the Sastrakaras accept the inter-caste marriage of anuloma type, certainly they did not approve of it. To them such marriages led to inter-mixture of Varnas which could lead to social chaos. She pleaded for simplification of the marriage rights and avoidance of waste of money and· material.

In "Hindu Law of Marriage and Stridhana" by G. Banerjee, 2nd Edition · 1896, it has been stated at pages 68-69 that by inter-caste marriages among Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras, which were allowed in Vedic period, there arose number of mixed classes, which have been treated in the 10th Chapter of Manu; and further, by division of the Sudras according to their occupations, there arose numbe~ or sub-castes; such being the nature ahd origin of caste, the prohibition of inter-marriage applies only with reference to the four primary castes, and was inapplicable to sub-divisions of the Sudra caste. Quoting from Pardaiya Telaver v. Puli Te/aver, I Mad. 478 from the judgment of Scotland, CJ., it was concluded that the general law applicable to all classes or tribes does not seem opposed to marriage between individuals of different sects or divisions of the same class or tribe, and even as regards the marriage between individuals of different class or tribe, the law appears to be no more than directory. Although it recommends and inculcates marriage with woman of equal class as preferable description,

V. PAUL (MRS.) v. COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS. [K. RAMASWAMY, J.] 145 yet the marriage of man with woman of lower class or tribe than himself appears not to be an invalid marriage, rendering the issue illegitimate.

Dr. Paras Diwan in his 2nd Edition of "Law of Marriage and Divorce" stated at page 75 that in inter-caste and inter-sect marriages in anuloma form male of superior caste marries female of inferior caste; and in pratiloma marriage male of inferior caste marries female of superior caste. During British Raj, pratiloma marriage came to be considered as invalid and obsolete but anuloma mariiage was held valid. Customary inter-caste marriages were held valid. They were performed under Special Marriages Act, 1872. The Arya Marriages Validation Act, 1937 permitted performance of both anuloma and pratiloma marriages under the auspices of the Arya Samaj. Inter-sub-caste ma.rriages were validated under the Hindu Marriage (Removal of Disabilities) Act, 1946. The Hindu Marriage Validity Act, 1949 permitted performance of both forms of inter-caste marriages. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 inter-caste marriages among all castes are valid as under the Act marriage between any two Hindus is valid one. At page 76 he stated that under Muslim law inter-sect marriages between Muslims belonging to different sects or schools are valid. The Christian Marriage Act permitted marriage between Roman Catholics and Protestants. Among Parsis there are no sects or denomi-nations. It would thus be clear that in Hindu social order, the prohibition of inter-caste marriage and looking down upon the progeny born to such inter-caste couple resulted in shunning the inter-caste marriages as social mobility and resulted in rigidity in social structure. The Hindu Marriage Act has done away with that rigidity and made valid the inter-caste marriages. Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act introduced an amendment in the State of Tamil Nadu providing that marriages made between any two Hindus in any form solemnised in the presence of relatives, friends or other persons in simplified form are valid marriage; and by statutory operation of sub-section (2), such marriages held earlier to the commencement of Hindu Marriages Madras Amendment Act 1957 are to be regarded as good and valid in law, doing away with any customary practice or usages to be mandatory. The Tamil Nadu Act 21 of 1957 came into force with effect from January 20, 1968.

The Constitution through its Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Direc-tive Principles created secular State based on the principle of equality and non-discrimination striking balance between the rights of the individuals and the duty and commitment of the State to establish an egalitarian social order. Dr. K.M. Munshi contended on the floor of the Constituent Assembly

(1996] 1 S.C.R.

that "we want to divorce religion from personal law, from what may be called social relations, or from the rights of parties as regards inheritance or succession. What have thl'se things got to do with religion, I fail to understand? We are in stage where we must unify and consolidate the nation by every means without interfering with Ieligious practices. If, how-ever, in the past, religious practices have been so construed as to cov_er the whole field of life, we have reached point when we must put our foot down and say that these matters are not religion, they are purely matters for secular legislation. Religion must be reso"icted to spheres which legitimately apper-tain to religion, and the rest of life must be regulated, unified and modified in such manner that we may evolve, as early as possible, strong and consolidated nation" (Vide : Constituent Assembly Debates, Vol. VII 356-8).

In the onward march of establishing an egalitarian secular social order based on equality and dignity of person, Article 15(1) prohibits discrimina-tion on. grounds of religion or caste identities so as to foster national identity which does not deny pluralism of Indian culture but rather to preserve it. Indian culture is product or blend of several strains or ele1nents derived from various sources, in spite of inconsequential variety of forms and types. There is unity of spirit informing Indian culture throughout the ages. It is this underlying unity which is one of the most remarkable everlasting and enduring feature of Indian culture that fosters unity in diversity among different populace. This generates and fosters cordial spirit and toleration that make possible the unity and continmty of Indian traditions. Therefore, it would be the endeavour of everyone to develop several identities which constantly interact and overlap, and prove meeting point for all members of different religious communities, castes, sections, sub-sections and regions to promote rational approach to life and society and would establish national composite and cosmopolitan culture and way of life.

Arnn Shourie in his "Religion in Politics'', 1986 stated thus at pages 332-33

"To fashion fair and firm State; State and society in which the individual is all, an individual[1 ]with an inviolate sphere of autonon1y that neither the State nor anyone acting in the name of religion nor any other collectivity can b_reach; State and society in which we learn to look upon one another as human beings, in which the habit of partitioning our fellow-men between 'them' and 'us' is gone; State and society in which man of God is known not by the

externals - by his appeaiance, by the rituals he observes, by the religious office he holds, - but by t~e service he renders to his fellow-men; State and society in which each of us recognises all our traditions as the common heritage of us all; State and society in which we shed the dross in religion and perceive the unity and truth to which the mystics of all traditicns have born testimony; state and society in which we learn, in which we examine, in which we begin to think for ourselves - fashioning such State and society is prograimne worthy of those who aspire to humanism and secularism.

The sine qua non for such programme is that all of us accept limitation on means. We must accept the right of everyone to his own opinion and belief as well as the right of everyone to influence others to adopt his opinion and belief, but simultoneously each of us must vow that he will influence others by persuasion alone or not at ali.

And the hallmaik of the humanist and the secularist in regaid to the ideals he will pursue and the means by which he will pursue them is not 'I will be secular, I will be humanist, only when all the 'others' also conduct themselves as secularists and humanists.' Our conduct must be principles, whatever the conduct of others. 'For', as Jesus said, 'if you love those who love yeu, what rewaid have you?'

The approacli in reconciling diverse practices, customs and traditions of the mairiages as one of the means for social and national unity and integrity and establishment of Indian culture for haimony, ainity and self-respect to the individuals, is the encouragement to inter-caste, inter-sect, inter-religion mairiages from inter-region. The purposive interpretation would, therefore, pave way to establish seculaiism and seculai State.

At the cost of repetition, it is stated that pluralism is the keynote of Indian culture and rehgio~s tolerance i.5 the bedrock of Indian secularism. It is based on ,he belief that all religions aie equally good and efficacious pathways to perfection or God-realisation. It stands for complex interpretive process in which there is transcendence of religion and yet there is unification of multiple religion,. It is bridge between religions in multi-religious society to cross over the barriers of their diversity. Secularism is the basic feature of the Constitution as guiding principle of State policy and

[1996] l S.C.R.

action. Secularism in the positive sense is the cornerstone of an egalitarian and forward - looking society which our Constitution endeavours to estab-lish. It is the only possible basis of uniform and durable national identity in multi - religious and socially disintegrated society. It is fruitful means for conflict-resolution and harmonious and peaceful living. It provides sense of security to the followers of all religions and ensures full civil liberties, constitutional rights and equal opportunities.

Human rights are derived from the dignity and worth inherent in the human person. Human rights and fundamental freedoms have been reiterated · in the Universal declaration of Human Rights. Democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are inter-dependent and have mutual reinforcement. The human 1ights for women, including girl child are, therefore, inalienable, integral and an indivisible part of universal human rights. The full development of personality and fundamental freedoms and equal participation, _by women in political, social, economic and cultural life are concomitants for national development, social and family stability and growth-cultural, social and economical. All forms of discrimination on grounds of gender is violative of fundamental freedoms and human rights. Convention for Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (for short, "CEDAW") was ratified by the U.N.O. on December 18, 1979 and the Government of India had ratified as an active participant on June 19, 1993 acceded to CEDAW and reiterated that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity and it is an obstacle to the participation on equal terms with men in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their country; it hampers the growth of the personality from society and family, making more difficult for the full development of potentialities of women in the service of the respective countries and of humanity.

Establishment of new international economic order based on equality and justice will contribute significantly towards the promotion of equality between men and women etc. Article 1 defines "discrimination against women" to mean "any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognized enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on the basis of equality of men and women, all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field." Article 2(b) enjoins upon the State parties, while condemning discrimination against women in all its forms, to pursue, by appropriate

V. PAUL (MRS.) v. COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS. [K. RAMASWAMY, J.] 149 means, witl1out delay, elimination of discrimination against women by adopting "appropriate legislative and other measures including sanctions where appropriate prohibiting all discrirninations against women; to take all appropriate measures including legislation, to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and prautices which constitute discrimination against women. Clause enjoins upon the State to ensure legal protection of the rights of women on equal basis with men, through constituted national tribunals and other public institutions against any act of discrimination to provide effective protection to women,. Article 3 enjoins upon the State parties that it shall take, in all fields, in particular, in the political social , economic and cultural fields, all appropriate measures including legislation to ensure full development and advancement of women for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and funda-mental freedoms on the basis of equality with men. Article 13 states that "the State parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in other areas of economic and social life in order to ensure, on basis of equality of men and women".

The Parliament has enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Section 2(b) defines "human rights" to mean "the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitu-tion, embodied in the international conventions and enforceable by courts in India". Thereby, the principles embodied in CEDAW and the concomitant right to development became integral part of the Constitution of India and the Human Rights Act and became enforceable. Section 12 ·of the Protection of Human Rights Act charges the commission with duty for proper implemen-tation as well as prevention of violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms .

Though the Government of India kept its reservations on Articles 5(e), 16(1), 16(2) and 29 of CIDAW, they bear little consequence in view of the fundamental rights in Article 15 (I) and (3) and Article 21 and the directive principles of the Constitution.

It would thus be seen that the institution of marriage is one of the sound social institutiOns to. bring harmony and integration is social fabric. The Shastric law among Hindus has undergone sea change, in the rigidity of Shastric prescriptions. In relation to intestate succession of property, mar-riage, adoption and maintenance among Hindus, they are brought under statutory operation appropriately underpinning the rigid shastric prohibi-

[1996] 1 S.C.R.

tions, restrictions to operate in harmony with Universal Declaration of Human Rights and constitutional rights. The right to divorce which is unknown to Hindu law is. made feasible and an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is m•de ground so as to enable the couple to seek divorce by mutual consent. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1956 and Special Marriage Act, 1954 made the marriage between persons belonging to different castes and reli-gions as valid marriage. Even local amendments in Section 7 to the Hindu Marr-iage Act 1956 like in Tamil Nadu, removed the rigidity of celebrating the marriages in accordance with shastric prescription like Kanyadan and Saptapadhi being not mandatory, recognised social marriage as valid. Right to maintenance from the divorced husband is provided under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 and Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 so long as she remains unmarried. Under Hindu Minority and Maintenance Act, she is entitled to maintenance from father-in-law. Similar gender equality is available to other citizens consistent with Human Rights and under Article 15(3) of the constitution. The march of law lays emphasis on the rights of the individual for equality. The form of marriages is relegated to backdoor as unessential. These are matters of belief and practice and not core content. Tying Tali is must and without it marriage is not complete in South India among all Hindus and in some parts among Harijan Christians, while exchange of rings would do in North India. Ritualistic celebration of marriage would be considered by some as valid, while most people in other sections think that factum of marriage is enough. When in Tamil Nadu such marriage is statutorily, valid would it become invalid in other parts of the country? The answer would, obviously and emphatically be, "NO". Inter-caste marriages and adoption are two important social institutions through which ~ecularism would find its fruitful and solid base for an egalitarian social order under the Constitution. Therefore, due recognition should be accorded for social mobility and integration and accordingly its recognition must be upheld as valid Jaw.

It is well settled law from Mussumat Bhoobun Moyee Debia v. Ramkishore Achari Chowdhary, (1865) 10 MIA 279 that judiciary recognised century and half ago that husband and wife are one under Hindu law, and so long as the wife survives, she is half of the husband. She is 'Sapinda' of her husband as held in Lallu Bhoy v. Cassibai, (1979-80) 7 IA 212. It would, therefore, be clear that be it either under the Canon law or the Hindu law, on marriage wife becomes an integral part of husband's marital home entitled to

V PAUL (MRS.) "· COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS. [K. RAMASWAMY, J.] 151 equal status of husband as member of the family. Therefore, the lady, on marriage, becoines inembcr of the family and thefeby she beco1nes member of the caste to which she 1noved. The caste rigidity breaks down and would stand no impediment to her bcco1ning me1nbcr of the fa1nily to which the husband belongs and she gets herself transplanted.

The immediate question arises : Whether recognition of the community is pre~con<lition? Though it was consistently held that recognition is circumstance to be taken irito consideration, marriage being personal right of the spouses they are entitled to live, after marriage openly to the knowledge of all the members of the community or locality in which they live and by such living they acquire married status. In the light of the constitutional philosophy of social integrity and national unity, right to equality assured by the human rights and the Constitution of India, on marriage of man and woman, they become members of the family and are entitled to the social status as married couple, recognition per se is not pre-condition but entitled to be considered, when evidence is available. It is common knowledge that with education or advance of economic status, young men and women marry against the wishes of parents and in many case consent or recognition would scarcely be given by either or both the parties or parents of both spouses. Recognition by family or community is not pre-Condition for married status.

However, the question is : Whether lady marrying Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or OBC citizen, or one transplanted by adoption or any other voluntary act, ipso .facto, becomes entitled to claim reservation under Article 15(4) or 16(4), as the case may be? It is seen that Dalits and Tribes suffered social and economic disabilities recognised by Articles 17 and 15(2). Consequently, they became socially, culturally and educationally backward; the OBCs also suffered social and educational backwardness. The object of reservation is to remove these handicaps, disadvantages, sufferings and restrictions to which the members of the Dalits or Tribes or OBCs were subjected to and was sought to bring them in the mainstream of the nation's life by providing them opportunities and facilities.

In Murlidhar Dayandeo Kesekar v. Vishwanath Pandu, IT (1995) 3 SC 563 and R. Chandevarappa v. State qf Kamataka, IT (1995) 7 SC 93, this Court had held that economic empowerment is fundamental right to the poor and the State is enjoined under Articles 15(3 ), 46 and 39 to provide them opportunities. Thus, education, employment and economic empower-

[1996] I S.C.R.

ment are some of the programmes, the State has evoived and also provided reservation in adrnission into educational institutions, or in case of other economic benefits under Articles 15( 4) and 46, or in appointment to an office or post under the State under Article 16(4). Therefore, when member is transplanted into the Dalits, Tribes and OBCs, he/she must of necessity also undergo have had same the handicaps, and must have been subject to the sa1nc disabililies, disadvantages, indignities or sufferings so as to entitle the candidate to avail the facility of reservation. candidate who had the advantageous start in life being born in forward casle and had nlarch of advantageous life but is transplanted in backward caste by adoption or marriage or conversion, docs not become eligible to the benefit of reservation either under Article 15(4) or 16(4), as the case may be. Acquisition of the Status of Scheduled Casce etc. by voluntary mobility into these categories would play fraud on the Constitution, and would frustrate the benign constitutional policy under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution.Further question is : Whether recognition by the community, as is envisaged by law and expressly recognised by this Court in Mohan Rao'.1· case would give the benefit of reservation? In that case, parents of Mohan Rao originally belonged to Scheduled Caste in A.P. Mohan Rao became Christian but· reconverted into Hinduism and claimed the status as Scheduled Caste. The Constitution Bench had. held that by reconversion, he could not become Hindu but recognition by the community is pre-condition. In that case, it was found that caste/community had recognised him after reconversion as member of the Scheduled Caste. In Kai/ash Sonkar's case (supra), this Court, in the context of election law, considered the question of reconversion into Hindu fold. On conversion to Christianity or any other religion, the convertee would lose the said caste. Where person belongin& to the Scheduled Caste is converted to Christianity or Islam, the same involves loss of the caste. unless the religion to which he is converted is liberal enough to permit .the convertee to retain his caste or the family law by which he was originally governed. Where the new religion does not at all accept or believe in the caste system, the loss of the caste would be final and complete. In South India, if person converts from Hindu religion to other religion, the original caste, without violating the tenants of the new order to which he has gone, as matter of common practice continues to exist from times immemorial. If person abjures his old religion and converts to new one, there is no loss of caste. However, where the convertee exhibits by his actions and behaviour his clear intention of abjuring lhe new religion, on hisV. PAUL (MRS.) c. COCHIN UNIVERSITY & ORS. [K. RAMASWAMY, J.] 153 o\vn volition wilhout any persuasion and is not molivated by any benefits or gain; the con1111unity of the old order to which the convcrtce originall~[1 ]belonged, is gracious enough to admit him to the original caste either expressly or by necessary intendment; and rules of the ne\V order pennit the converlee to join the nev.[1 ]caste, on reconversion his original caste revives and he becomes member of that caste. However, this Court had held that "in our opinion the 1r.ain test should be g~nuinc intention of the reconvc11 to abjure his new religion and completely dissociate hi1nsclf from it. We nJust hasten to add here that this docs not mean that the reconvcrs_ion should be only ruse or pretext or cover to gain 1nundane worldly benefits so that the reconversion becomes merely show for achieving particular purpose whereas the real intention may be shrouded in mystery. The reconvert must exhibit clear and genuine intention to go back to his old fold and adopt the customs and practices of the said fold without any protest from members of his erstwhile caste." In that case it was held from his conduct, the respondent established that she by her conduct became member of the community entitled to contest the elections as Scheduled Caste. In Mohan Rao 's case (supra), this court found as fact that after conversion he was accepted as member of the Dalits by the eunununity. Similar are the facts in Hero case (supra). Jn CM. Arumugam v. S. Rajagopal & Ors., [1976] l SCC 863, this Court did not accept reconversion, though Rajagopal proclaimed by conduct of his becoming member of Scheduled Caste and his relations treated him as member of Dalits. In Hero case also th~ respondent was recognised as member of the Scheduled Tribe. Further in election law the compulsion of political party nominating candidate and voters' verdict may be looked into. In Soosai v. Union of India, AIR (1986) SC 733, Bhagwati, CJ. speaking for three Judge Bench held that non-recognition of Scheduled Caste Christians as Dalits was not violative of Article 14 as by reason of conversion they were not similarly handicapped as Dalits. In Madhuri's case and Laveti Giri's case, this Court direCted procedure for issuance of social status certificates. As part of it, the officer concerned should also verify, as fact, whether convert has totally abjured his old faith and adopted, as fact, the new faith; whether he suffered all the handicaps as Dali! or tribe; whether conversion is only ruse to gain constitutional benefits under Article 15(4) or 16(4); and whether the community has in fact recognised his conversion and treated him as member of the community and then issue such certificate.

The recognition of the appellant as member of the Latin Catholic

[1996] l S.C.R.

would not, therefore, be relevant for the purpose of her entitlement to the reservation under Article 16( 4 ), for the reason that she, as member of the forward caste, had an advantageous start in life and after her completing education and becon1ing n1ajor 1narried Yesudas; and so, she is not entitled to the facility of reservation given to the Latin Catholic, backward class.

The learned single Judge and the Division Bench in Di: Ku11iamma's case proceeded solely on basis of Canon Law, celebration of the marriage in accordance with Latin Catholic rites and acceptance of her as member of that community. Unfortunately they did not advert to the constitutional mandate adverted to hereinbefore. Consequently, the learned single Judge and the Division Bench did not correctly decide the law. Equally, in Khazan Singh 's case the learned single Judge of the Delhi High Court too did not lay the law correctly. The Full Bench, for the aforesaid reasons, had rightly concluded that the appellant is not entitled to the benefit of reservation under Article 16(4) as lecturer which post was reserved for the backward class Latin Catholic community.

The appeals are accordingly dismissed. The orders of the Division Bench and the single Judge stand set aside. The Full Bench judgment stands confirmed but, in the circumstances, parties are directed to bear their own costs throughout.

C.A. No. J/97181

Consequent upon dismissal of C.A. Nos. 3163-64 of 1995 as above, this appeal is allowed.

Appeals dismissed.