W.P(MD)No.17074 of 2022 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 09.06.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN AND THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.POORNIMA W.P(MD)No.17074 of 2022 M.C.Pandiyaraj ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The State represented by The Secretary to Government, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009. 2.The State represented by The Secretary to Government, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009. 3.The Commissioner, The Commission for Adi Dravida Welfare, Chennai – 600 005. 4.Buddhist Society of India, Head Quarters – Tamil Nadu, 19/44, Thirunagar, Villivakkam, Chennai. 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.17074 of 2022 5.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar. 6.The Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer, District Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Office, Virudhunagar District. 7.The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Srivilliputhur Taluk, Virudhunagar District. ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to issue community certificate as “Buddhist - Adi Dravida” to the petitioner based on his representation 04.05.2022 within a stipulated period as fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : No Appearance For Respondents : Mr.M.Kannan Government Advocate for R.1 to R.3 & R.5 to R.7 No Appearance for R.4 ORDER (Order of the Court was made by G.R.Swaminathan J.) None appears for the petitioner. Heard the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 and 5 to7. 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.17074 of 2022 2.The writ petitioner claims to have been born in Adi Dravidar community and subsequently converted to Buddhism. It is well settled that conversion to Buddhism will not take away one's status as belonging to Scheduled Caste. 3.The petitioner is permitted to submit a fresh application to the seventh respondent. Upon receipt of the same, the seventh respondent shall hold enquiry and dispose of the said application on merits and in accordance with law within a period of three months thereafter. We make it clear that we have not gone into the merits of the matter. If the petitioner is unable to avail the online facility, he is permitted to submit the application in person and the seventh respondent shall receive the same manually. 4.This Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. [G.R.S., J.] [R.P., J.] 09.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No MGA 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.17074 of 2022 To 1.The Secretary to Government, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009. 2.The Secretary to Government, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Fort St.George, Chennai – 600 009. 3.The Commissioner, The Commission for Adi Dravida Welfare, Chennai – 600 005. 4.Buddhist Society of India, Head Quarters – Tamil Nadu, 19/44, Thirunagar, Villivakkam, Chennai. 5.The District Collector, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar. 6.The Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer, District Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Office, Virudhunagar District. 7.The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Srivilliputhur Taluk, Virudhunagar District. 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.17074 of 2022 G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J. AND R.POORNIMA , J. MGA W.P(MD)No.17074 of 2022 09.06.2026 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis