Advocates:
B.Kanta Rao, G.VENKATESWARA RAO, P.P.Rao, P.RAM REDDY, R.C.RAGHAVAN, V.SITHARAMAN REDDY

Based on the provided legal document, here are the key points regarding the eligibility of converts/re-converts for Scheduled Caste reservation benefits:

• The Core Legal Question: The primary issue is whether a person whose parents belonged to a Scheduled Caste before converting to Christianity can be regarded as a member of that Scheduled Caste upon their subsequent conversion or reconversion to Hinduism, thereby qualifying for reservation benefits in medical college admissions. (!)
• Facts of the Case: The respondent's parents originally belonged to the Madiga caste (a Scheduled Caste in Andhra Pradesh) but converted to Christianity. The respondent was born after this conversion. He later converted back to Hinduism and claimed membership in the Madiga caste based on a certificate of "Suddhi" ceremony and acceptance, but his admission was cancelled by the medical college principal on the grounds that he was not a Hindu by birth. (!)
• Constitutional Interpretation: Article 15(4) empowers the State to make special provisions for Scheduled Castes. The term "Scheduled Castes" is defined technically under Article 366(24) and specified by the President under Article 341. (!)
• Religious Proficiency Requirement: Under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, a person belonging to a specified caste is deemed a Scheduled Caste only if they profess the Hindu or Sikh religion. Crucially, the Order does not require the person to be a Hindu or Sikh by birth, but only that they must be professing the Hindu or Sikh religion at the relevant time. (!) (!)
• Invalidity of "By Birth" Rule: The rule used by the medical college requiring a candidate to belong to a Scheduled Caste "by birth" was found to be erroneous and void because it went beyond the provisions of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which focuses on current religious profession rather than birth origin. (!)
• Caste Membership and Conversion: Conversion from Hinduism to Christianity does not automatically result in the loss of caste membership; this depends on the specific rules and regulations of the caste structure. (!)
• Reconversion Mechanism: On reconversion to Hinduism, a person does not automatically become a member of their original caste. Instead, they become a member only if they are accepted by the other members of that caste. (!)
• Role of the Caste: The caste itself is considered the "supreme judge" in matters affecting its composition and well-being. Admission of a new member (even a reconvert) is valid only if the caste accepts the person according to its own rules and regulations. (!)
• Outcome: The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, holding that the respondent's eligibility depended on whether he was accepted by the Madiga caste members. Since the State conceded that the respondent's admission would not be disturbed regardless of the outcome, the appeal was dismissed with costs in favor of the respondent. (!)