Supreme Court: If this is done, India will be a country of minorities..., SC dismisses the petition of smart Brahmins

The Supreme Court refused to grant minority status to Smarta Brahmins living in Tamil Nadu. Dismissing the petition filed in this regard, the court upheld the order of the Madras High Court, which held that Smarta Brahmins are not a religious sect and therefore cannot be given minority status.

A bench of Justice Krishna Murari and Justice S Ravindra Bhat observed that many people follow the Advaita philosophy. In such a situation, if we give minority status to smart Brahmins, then in that case we will have a country of minorities.

Earlier, hearing the case, the Madras High Court had held that Smarta Brahmins are not entitled to benefits under Article 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs) of the Constitution of India. The court had said that it is clear that there is no ordinary organization by the name of Smarta Brahmins or any other name. It is only a caste or community with no special characteristics that differentiate them from other Brahmins, especially from the state of Tamil Nadu.

The High Court in its order had held that Smarta Brahmins cannot call themselves a religious sect. Consequently, they are not entitled to benefits under Article 26 of the Constitution of India.

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