NEW DELHI,29 Jan 2026 : The Supreme Court has expressed strong disapproval over a plea by a person from a dominant Hindu caste seeking the benefit of minority reservation after converting to Buddhism, describing the attempt as a “new type of fraud”.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a petition filed by Nikhil Kumar Punia, who claimed eligibility for admission as a minority candidate on the basis of his conversion.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice questioned the petitioner’s caste background.
“You are a Punia? What minority are you? Let me ask this bluntly now. Which Punia are you?” CJI Kant asked.
Counsel for the petitioner replied, “Jaat Punia.”
The Bench immediately followed up, asking, “Then how minority?”
The petitioner’s counsel responded that Punia had converted to Buddhism and was therefore entitled to minority status. “Converted to Buddhism. That is my right,” the counsel submitted.
Reacting sharply, the Chief Justice remarked, “Wow! This is a new type of fraud.”
The Court indicated that the issue raised serious concerns about the misuse of reservation benefits and the manner in which minority certificates are being issued by the State authorities.
Taking the matter forward, the Bench directed the Haryana government to clarify the legal framework governing the grant of minority certificates. The Court sought specific information on whether individuals belonging to upper-caste, general category backgrounds could claim minority status solely on the basis of religious conversion.
“Let the Chief Secretary of Haryana inform: What are the guidelines for issuing a minority certificate? Is it permissible for an upper-class general category candidate who is above economically weaker sections of society, especially when they declared themselves as general in the last application, and then declared themselves as a Buddhist minority,” the Court ordered.
The Bench made it clear that the State would have to place on record the applicable rules and safeguards to prevent abuse of reservation policies meant for historically disadvantaged groups.
The matter is likely to come up for further hearing on February 13, 2026.
