The Kerala High Court has ruled that individuals who voluntarily convert to another religion have the constitutional right to update their official school documents, including the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC), to reflect the change.
The case was brought by Sudhin Krishna C.S., born Mohammed Riyazudeen C.S., who was raised in the Hindu faith by his mother despite being born to a Muslim father. After formally converting to Hinduism through Arya Samaj and changing his name via a gazette notification, Sudhin’s request to update his SSLC was denied by authorities, citing outdated rules under the Kerala Education Rules (KER), 1959.
Justice D.K. Singh clarified that Rule 3(1) of Chapter VI of the KER is not restricted to date of birth changes but includes modifications to religion and caste as well. The judge affirmed that the Commissioner of Examinations holds the authority to carry out such updates.
Citing Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, the Court emphasized:
“If a person has changed his religion without coercion, fraud, or undue influence, such an act is protected under the Constitution. Every person has a fundamental right not just to hold religious beliefs of their choice but also to express and reflect them in official records.”
This judgment is being hailed as a major step forward in recognizing individual autonomy, especially for those exercising their right to change faith. Legal experts say the ruling will have a broader impact on administrative processes across India, setting a precedent for religious identity to be accurately reflected in public records.
