The court clarified that individuals converting from Backward Classes to Islam are eligible for consideration under the Backward Class Muslim category.

ORDER

The petitioner challenges the impugned order dated 01.12.2016 passed by the fourth respondent, whereby the petitioner’s application for appointment to the post of Assistant was rejected on two grounds, namely: (i) that upon conversion to Islam, the petitioner falls under the “Others” category and not under the Backward Class category; and (ii) that he was over-aged.

2. The petitioner possesses a B.A. degree and originally belonged to Hindu Vanniya Kula Kshatriya community, which is classified as Most Backward Class (MBC) as notified by the Government of Tamil Nadu. He converted to Labbai Muslim on 23.07.2015 and married a Muslim woman on 20.03.2016. Thereafter, he was issued a Community Certificate certifying that he belongs to Backward Class Muslim (BCM).

3.The third respondent issued Recruitment Notification No.17/2015 dated

12.10.2015 inviting applications for the post of Assistant. The petitioner submitted his application seeking consideration under the Backward Class category. He appeared for the written examination. However, at the time of certificate verification, it was found that the petitioner had converted to Islam, and hence he was treated as falling under the “Others” category and not under the Backward Class category. Consequently, he was held ineligible for appointment under the Backward Class category and was also found to be over-aged for consideration under the “Others”

category.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the Government has issued G.O.(Ms.) No.31 dated 09.03.2024, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare (BCC) Department, whereby it was ordered that persons who convert to Islam from Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities or Scheduled Castes shall be treated as Backward Class Muslims for the purpose of availing the 3.5% reservation provided under the Tamil Nadu Backward Class Muslims (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions including Private Educational Institutions and of Appointment to Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 2007 (Tamil Nadu Act 33 of 2007). Therefore, the rejection of the petitioner’s application on the ground that he belongs to the “Others”

category is illegal, arbitrary, discriminatory and unsustainable in law.

5. In response, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondents 2 to 4 submitted that, as on the date of issuance of the recruitment notification, the petitioner was treated as belonging to the “Others” category and not to the Backward Class category. Hence, the rejection of his application was justified. It was further submitted that all the notified posts have since been filled up and no vacancy is presently available to accommodate the petitioner. However, it was fairly submitted that the petitioner had fallen within the zone of consideration and was otherwise qualified and eligible under Recruitment Notification No.17/2015 dated 12.10.2015 and Supplementary Notification No.18/2015 dated 20.10.2015, and that his case may be considered in future recruitment. Reliance was placed on the order of a Co- ordinate Bench of this Court in W.P. No.7217 of 2022 dated 09.12.2025.

6. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the first respondent adopted the submissions made by the learned Standing Counsel for respondents 2 to 4.

7. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

8. Admittedly, the petitioner originally belonged to Hindu Vanniya Kula Kshatriya community, classified as Most Backward Class (MBC). Subsequently, he converted to Labbai Muslim and was issued a certificate declaring him as Backward Class Muslim (BCM). A Division Bench of this Co