A 36-year-old IT professional has filed an application before the Gujarat High Court requesting that the government issue her a special ‘no religion, no caste’ certificate
Kajal Gunvantbhai Manjula is from the Rajgor Brahmin community and lives at the Rander shelter home in Surat. Her family has cut ties with her because of her anti-caste and anti-religious stance.
“I have faced many issues within my family and among my relatives due to my stand against casteism. Earlier my father used to support me but now he too has severed ties with me due to family pressure,” said Kajal.
She added that since her family has severed ties with her she removed her surname from her name.
“I have now filed a petition through my lawyer to get a certificate that does not mention my religion or caste,” said Kajal.
She is represented by her lawyer Dharmesh Gurjar.
Kajal, who is from Junagadh’s Chorwad, described herself as a self-sufficient woman who makes a living as an IT professional in Ahmedabad. She has relocated to Surat.
“I protested against OBC reservation for my caste and it did not go down well with my family and relatives. I was also against my brother getting a government job in the reservation quota,” she said.
Kajal, who is no more in touch with her family, is now looking for a job and accommodation.
“Even during job and house hunting, I face the caste question. So I have decided to get rid of religion and caste. At present I live in the shelter home in Surat which is the best in the state,” she said.
In her petition, she referenced a Madras High Court order directing the Tamil Nadu government to issue a certificate to one Sneha Pratbharaja in the year 2019 without mentioning religion or caste.
Sneha had her surname ‘Shilu’ removed from her Aadhar Card and other identification documents, as well as having it published in the government gazette.
“Many Indians face discrimination due to caste and in the larger public interest such revolutionary steps like getting a certificate with the mention “no religion, no caste” should be welcomed. This is for the further development of our country and society,” the plea stated.
The petition will most likely be heard next week.
According to Kajal, the discriminatory caste system is restricting our country’s and society’s development, and eliminating it will help us move forward more rapidly..