JUDGMENT :

V.G. ARUN, J.

1. The petitioners were born to Hindu parents and professed that religion till May, 2017. In the year 2017, the petitioners decided to embrace Christianity and was baptized at the Malankara Catholic Church, Mavelikara. After thus becoming Christians, the petitioners decided to get their religion changed in the school certificate. For that purpose, the petitioners got Ext.P5 notification issued in the Government Gazette. Thereafter, they approached the 2nd respondent seeking to change their name and religion in the school certificate. By Ext.P9, the petitioners’ request for change of name was allowed. But, the prayer for change of religion was rejected on the premise that there is no provision for carrying out such change in the school certificate.

2. Heard, learned Counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader.

3. The learned Counsel for the petitioners placed reliance on Ext.P10 judgment of this Court, rendered under similar circumstances and contended that, even in the absence of a provision, this Court is vested with ample power under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

4. The learned Government Pleader drew attention to reference No. 3