Madras HC orders ‘No Religion, No Caste’ certificate for actor Parthiban

Chennai: The Madras High Court has directed the authorities to issue a "No Caste, No Religion" certificate to Tamil actor and director Radhakrishnan Parthiban. Justice M Dhandapani’s bench instructed the Sholinganallur Tahsildar in Chennai to issue the certificate by April 29.

The court further observed that since the Tamil Nadu Government had failed to comply with previous requests to provide the certificate, Parthiban is at liberty to proceed with contempt of court proceedings. Parthiban had filed a petition alleging that despite applying on March 20, authorities were reluctant to process his request.

In his plea, Parthiban stated that he discontinued his education after the Class 11 and does not possess a birth certificate or school records that specify a caste or religion. He clarified that upon reaching adulthood, he completely renounced his religious and communal identity. He added that as a producer, director and actor, he has consistently advocated for a casteless and religion-free society through his films.

While he acknowledged obtaining caste certificates for his son and daughter for school admissions and other necessities, he maintained that as adults, they possess the freedom to choose any religion or live without one.

Parthiban also pointed out his view that while the caste system is intrinsic to Hinduism, it does not exist in religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism.