Commissioner of examinations can make changes to the caste and religion entries of students in SSLC book, rules Kerala high court
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Justice D K Singh issued the ruling while allowing a petition filed by Sudhin Krishna C S of Palakkad, who sought a directive to the concerned authorities to change his name and religion in his SSLC book. The petitioner, born to a Muslim father and a Hindu mother, was originally named Mohammed Riyazudeen C S. After attaining majority, he chose not to follow Islam and began practising the Hindu religion, having been raised by his mother in accordance with Hindu tenets.
He subsequently applied to the district educational officer seeking changes to his name and religion in the SSLC book, supported by relevant documents, including a certificate from the Arya Samajam, Kozhikode.
However, the authorities rejected his request, citing an absence of provisions under the KER, 1959, for altering religious identity in the SSLC book. This led the petitioner to approach the high court. The govt pleader opposed the plea, arguing that no authority had been notified under Rule 3(1), Chapter VI of the KER to effect changes in the caste or religion columns, and that the commissioner of examinations was only authorised to alter the date of birth.
The court, however, underscored that the petitioner has a fundamental right to practise a religion of his choice. If a person changes their religion voluntarily and without coercion, fraud, or undue influence, such an act is protected under the Preamble to the Constitution and Article 25, the court noted. Upon examining Rule 3(1), Chapter VI of the KER — titled 'Alteration of Date of Birth etc.' — the court observed that the scope of the rule is not limited to date of birth alone; it also allows for other changes, including religion and caste, to be effected by a competent authority.
Accordingly, the court directed the authorities to carry out the changes as requested by the petitioner with respect to his name and religion in the SSLC book.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
No Country For Minorities: Bangladesh's Dangerous Descent Into Islamist Violence
Last Updated: Across Bangladesh, reports indicate consistent refusals to accept complaints from minority communities, pointing to institutional bias or complicity The arrest of Fazor Ali, a local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), for the alleged rape of a 21-year-old Hindu woman in Cumilla's Muradnagar upazila on June 26, 2025, has ignited widespread outrage and protests across Bangladesh. This horrific incident, where Ali allegedly broke into the victim's home at knifepoint, underscores a broader crisis facing the nation's Hindu minority. The assault, compounded by the circulation of a graphic video online, has not only violated the survivor's dignity but also exposed the persistent vulnerability of Hindus in Bangladesh. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024, the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus has faced mounting criticism for its inability to curb escalating violence against religious minorities, particularly Hindus. Reports indicate a surge in attacks, including sexual violence, land grabbing, and temple desecrations, raising alarms about the growing influence of Islamist groups. The Cumilla case, where the survivor now faces threats to withdraw her complaint, highlights a systemic failure to protect minorities and deliver justice. Critics argue that Yunus's policies, including the release of individuals with extremist ties and leniency toward fundamentalist groups, have emboldened perpetrators, creating an environment where Hindus live in constant fear. Inadequate Protection for Bangladesh's Hindu Minority The Hindu community, comprising roughly 8% of Bangladesh's population, has long faced targeted violence, but the situation has worsened under the Yunus interim government. Since August 2024, reports have documented a spike in attacks, including 13 gang-rapes of Hindu women in Cumilla alone since April 2025. The case of the 21-year-old survivor in Muradnagar exemplifies this vulnerability. Staying at her father's home during a local festival, she was attacked while alone with her children, highlighting how Hindus, particularly women, are targeted in moments of vulnerability. The government's responsibility to protect minorities, as emphasised by international observers, has been inadequately fulfilled. The lack of proactive measures, such as increased security in minority-dominated areas or community outreach programmes, has left Hindus exposed to predatory violence. Temples and homes have been looted and destroyed, with incidents such as the burning of an ISKCON temple in Khulna in August 2024, signalling a broader pattern of unchecked aggression. The Yunus administration's failure to implement robust protective policies has allowed such atrocities to persist, undermining trust in the state's commitment to safeguarding its pluralistic identity. Without targeted interventions, the Hindu minority remains at risk, caught in a cycle of fear and marginalisation. Emboldening Islamist Extremists Through Policy Failures The interim government's policies have inadvertently emboldened Islamist groups, exacerbating threats to Hindus. Following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, Yunus's administration lifted bans on groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and released individuals with known extremist affiliations, including those facing terror charges. These decisions have signalled a softer stance toward fundamentalist elements, allowing them to operate with greater impunity. The Cumilla rape case, involving a BNP leader with a reported history of harassing Hindu women, reflects how political clout and extremist ideologies intersect to perpetuate violence. Local accounts suggest Fazor Ali's actions were enabled by his perceived untouchability due to political affiliations, a dynamic that thrives in an environment where Islamist rhetoric goes unchallenged. The government's reluctance to confront these groups head-on, coupled with Yunus's dismissal of minority attacks as 'political issues," has further emboldened perpetrators. For instance, Islamist parties' threats against the Women's Affairs Reform Commission in May 2025, warning of mass agitation, underscore their growing influence. This permissive atmosphere not only endangers Hindus, but also undermines Bangladesh's secular foundation, as extremist narratives gain traction without sufficient resistance from the state. Failures in Law Enforcement and Judicial Processes Law enforcement's handling of the Cumilla case reveals systemic flaws that hinder justice for minority victims. The survivor faced a three-day delay in registering her complaint, and authorities failed to conduct a mandatory medical examination within 24 hours, violating procedural standards. Such lapses, described by rights groups as 'gross violations", reflect a broader pattern of police inaction in cases involving Hindus. Across Bangladesh, reports indicate consistent refusals to accept complaints from minority communities, pointing to institutional bias or complicity. In the Cumilla incident, while Fazor Ali and four others were arrested, the initial escape of the accused after being beaten by locals suggests inadequate police response at the scene. The circulation of a graphic video, recorded by bystanders and shared online, further compounded the survivor's trauma, yet authorities were slow to act until public outrage forced their hand. The High Court's intervention, demanding the video's removal and the survivor's protection, highlights the judiciary's attempt to compensate for executive failures. However, without systemic reforms to ensure prompt investigations, unbiased policing, and victim support, such incidents will continue to erode trust in the legal system, leaving Hindus without recourse. Political Exploitation of Communal Tensions The Cumilla rape case has also exposed how political rivalries exacerbate communal violence, with Hindus caught in the crossfire. The BNP's senior leadership, while calling for 'exemplary punitive action", has simultaneously alleged that the case is a smear campaign orchestrated by the Awami League to tarnish their image. Such claims, dismissing the survivor's ordeal as political propaganda, trivialise the crime and shift focus from justice to partisan battles. This politicisation not only undermines the victim's agency but also deepens communal divides, as Hindus are portrayed as pawns in a larger power struggle. The Yunus government's failure to decisively address these narratives allows extremist elements within political parties to exploit tensions for electoral gain. Historically, both the BNP and Awami League have been criticised for their treatment of minorities, with the BNP's past governance (2001-2006) marked by accusations of harboring insurgents and tolerating anti-Hindu violence. top videos View all The current interim government's inaction in curbing such rhetoric enables a cycle where political actors deflect accountability, leaving Hindus vulnerable to further attacks. Addressing this requires a unified stance against communalism, which the Yunus administration has yet to demonstrate. The author teaches journalism at St Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Free CET, NEET, JEE online coaching to be extended to all government, aided PU colleges in Karnataka : Madhu Bangarappa
Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa said the free online coaching for CET, NEET, and JEE for admission to engineering, medical, and other professional courses will be extended to all government and aided Pre-University Colleges (PU) in the State for the current academic year. During an interactive session at The Hindu office on Thursday, the Minister said, 'Last year, online coaching for the entrance examinations was provided to only 25,000 selected students in government and aided PU colleges. Since there is a huge demand for online coaching among students, it will be extended to all government and aided students in the State this year.' 'Most of the students studying in government and aided PU colleges belong to economically and socially backward families. Due to financial constraints, they cannot join private coaching centres. From 2024-25, the State government has implemented a free online coaching scheme for them. Last year, a student of a government PU college who received free online coaching joined IIT this year,' Mr. Madhu Bangarappa said. 'All students who enroll for online training will be given separate login IDs to participate in the classes. In addition, free videos related to the course will be provided. Students from private colleges will also be able to receive this training externally. They will be given the opportunity to ask questions online and get answers,' he said. Annual Exam 2 and 3 may be withdrawn Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa said that after recording 75% results in SSLC and II PU, annual exam 1, 2, and 3 may be withdrawn in a phased manner. 'To prevent malpractices in the exams and provide quality results, SSLC and PU examinations have been conducted strictly through webcasting since last year. Due to this, malpractices have come down. However, this has affected the results and last year, the SSLC examination results saw a huge decline. The pass marks were reduced, and the results were announced by providing 20 grace marks. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had expressed displeasure over the grace marks being given and had given a target of 75% results without any grace marks in the coming years,' he said. 'Every year, about 2.76 lakh students fail in SSLC and II PU annual exam 1. If they are given another chance, they too pass in just one month. Hence, annual exam 1 and 2 have been implemented. We have already recorded 73% results from exam 1 and 2 of SSLC and II PU this year. If 75% results are recorded in annual exam 1 in the coming years, we will decide on withdrawing annual exam 2 and 3 after discussions,' he added. Pass marks to be brought down to 33 Madhu Bangarappa said that it has already been decided to reduce the pass marks of SSLC examination from 35 to 33 on the model of CBSE schools, and it will be implemented from the current academic year itself. 'Pass marks of 33 have been fixed for all central curriculum schools across the country, including CBSE. This is a student-friendly measure and will reduce the burden on children. It has been decided to reduce the pass marks of SSLC students to 33, and a final order will be issued soon,' he said. 'At the same time, there have also been demands to reduce the first language marks for SSLC students from 125 to 100. However, this is a very sensitive issue, I have to take care of my mother tongue. There is a big history behind setting 125 marks for the first language. So, an appropriate decision will be taken after discussing this with experts and the government,' he added.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
‘1 Country, 2 Laws?' Digvijaya Singh's Kanwar Yatra Post Stirs Row, BJP Calls Him 'Maulana'
Last Updated: Digvijaya Singh's Facebook post questioned religious processions and alleged bias during Kanwar Yatra. BJP's Vishwas Sarang accused him of targeting Hindu traditions. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has sparked a political row after he shared a controversial post on Facebook amid the ongoing Kanwar Yatra in the country. Sharing two pictures – one where a Kanwar Yatra is blocking a road and the other where people are offering namaz – the Congress leader followed it up with a provocative question. Questioning religious processions and alleged administrative bias, Singh captioned the post, 'One country, two laws?" which triggered a massive backlash from the ruling BJP. Madhya Pradesh minister Vishwas Sarang criticised Singh and accused him of repeatedly targeting Sanatan Dharma and disrespecting Hindu traditions. He said that the Congress leader always tries to create disturbance and controversy during Hindu religious festivals. Sarang further labelled the Congress veteran as 'Maulana Digvijaya Singh," implying he often speaks in favour of the Muslim community while opposing Hindu causes. 'Maulana Digvijaya Singh only opposes Sanatan Dharma. He even tries to create controversy around sacred festivals like the Kanwar Yatra but nothing more can be expected from him. The same Digvijaya Singh who glorifies Zakir Naik, talks about protecting terrorists, questions every army operation and promotes pro-Pakistan sentiments, continues to play politics of appeasement… That's why people call him 'Maulana Digvijaya Singh'," Sarang said as quoted by media reports. Congress Defends In response, Congress leader PC Sharma defended Singh, clarifying the intent behind the post. He said Singh's message was rooted in constitutional equality as envisioned by Dr BR Ambedkar. 'His point was simple: the Constitution is equal for all. Issues during public events, whether it's Kanwar Yatra or namaz, should be resolved through dialogue, not by harassing citizens or letting scrap dealers damage vehicles in front of passive police," Sharma said as quoted by NDTV. Kanwar Yatra is being carried out across the country this month. In different states, Kanwars are reaching their villages or nearby temples with river water and performing Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 18:46 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
