"Exam ke pehle Buddhist hua?" SC questions Haryana family's Buddhist conversion claim; seeks explanation from Haryana govt

New Delhi [India], January 28 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the claim of a Haryana-based family that they had converted to Buddhism shortly before examinations to avail minority benefits and sought an explanation from the Haryana government on the issuance of minority certificates.
A Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi strongly criticised the attempt and raised doubts about the family's intent.
The case arises from a petition filed by Nitin Punia and Ekta Punia, children of Krishan Punia, belonging to a Jat family from Hisar, Haryana, classified under the General category by birth. As per their plea, the petitioners were selected for admission under the Buddhist minority quota in Subharti Medical College, Subharti University, Uttar Pradesh, but could not successfully enrol in the NEET-PG course.
The petitioners obtained Buddhist minority certificates issued by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Hisar, which enabled them to secure admission in the college. However, the Uttar Pradesh government, through a 2016 notification, requires institutions claiming minority status to also obtain recognition from the State of Uttar Pradesh, even if they have recognition from the National Commission for Minorities. The State of Uttar Pradesh had denied such recognition, though the authority concerned granted admission.
While hearing the matter, the Bench made strong oral observations and termed the family's conduct as a kind of fraud.
"Outrightly dismissed. You want to snatch the rights of minorities. You belong to one of the richest places in the country. You should be proud of your merit. This is another kind of fraud. Don't compel us to make further comments", CJI Kant said, while dismissing the plea.
Justice Bagchi also remarked, "Examination ke pehle Buddhist hua?
The Court also questioned the role of the district administration, asking, "How has the Sub-Divisional Officer, Hisar, issued such certificates?"
The Court noted that the candidates had declared themselves as General category while applying and confirmed that they were General category by birth.
"On further inquiry, and as ascertained from counsel for the candidates, it is clear that the candidates appeared as General category candidates as they belong to the General category by birth," the Court noted in it's order.
The Bench further observed that the certificates were issued when the candidates were appearing for NEET 2025, even though they did not belong to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
"They do not belong to EWS. How have they been treated as candidates belonging to a minority community?" the Court asked.
Seeking accountability, the Court directed the Chief Secretary of Haryana to file a status-report on the guidelines in the State over issuance of minority certificates.
"We would like to know from the Chief Secretary of Haryana what the guidelines are for issuance of minority certificates
and on what basis General category candidates, who are not from weaker sections and who disclosed themselves as General candidates, can be treated as belonging to the Buddhist community," the Bench noted.
The Court also sought an explanation from the SDO (Civil), Hisar, on the basis for issuing such certificates.
"Further directions will depend upon the status report to be submitted by the State of Haryana within two weeks," the Court ordered.
The plea has been filed through Advocate Siddhartha Priya Ashok.(ANI)