By News Desk 
Kerala, June 2025 — A unique case from Kerala has sparked legal debate and ultimately reinforced an individual’s constitutional right to freedom of religion. The matter reached the Kerala High Court after a man, born to a Muslim father and Hindu mother, decided to officially change his religion from Islam to Hinduism. Despite having followed Hindu customs throughout his upbringing, the man faced administrative hurdles in getting his religious identity updated in official school documents.
Court Recognizes Right to Record Religious Change
In a landmark ruling, the Kerala High Court affirmed that any citizen who voluntarily converts to another religion has the constitutional right, under Article 25, to have that change reflected in official records, including school documents. Justice D.K. Singh, who presided over the case, stated that the freedom to practice and propagate one’s religion inherently includes the right to convert voluntarily and to have such changes legally recognized.
What the High Court Said
In its judgment, the court observed:
“If a person changes their religion voluntarily — free from coercion, fraud, or undue influence — such a change is protected by the Preamble of the Constitution as well as Article 25. Every citizen not only has the fundamental right to believe in and practice their faith but also to express those beliefs in ways that do not infringe on others’ rights or freedoms.”
Background: A Personal Choice of Faith
The petitioner, a young man from Kerala’s Palakkad district, informed the court that his father is Muslim and his mother Hindu. Raised entirely under Hindu traditions by his mother, he was enrolled in school under the name Mohammed Riyazuddin C.S., and his religion was recorded as Islam (Mappila). Upon reaching adulthood, he realized that his personal beliefs aligned with Hinduism, not Islam.
He formally converted through the Arya Samaj and issued a gazette notification, changing his name to Sudheen Krishna C.S. and declaring his religion as Hindu.
School Authorities Deny Update
After his legal name and religious conversion were complete, the petitioner sought to update his Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC). However, school authorities denied the request, claiming that the Kerala Education Act and Rules had no provision for altering caste or religion in school records.
In response, the man approached the High Court, arguing that this denial violated Rule 3(1) of the Kerala Education Rules, 1959, which permits such updates under specific circumstances.
Final Verdict: A Win for Religious Freedom
The court sided with the petitioner, emphasizing that voluntary and legally recognized religious conversion is protected under Indian constitutional law. Furthermore, the court stated that schools and government authorities are obligated to reflect such lawful changes in official records.
This case has now set a significant precedent for others facing similar issues, highlighting that personal faith and identity are not just personal matters, but also protected legal rights.