Madras High Court Denies ST Status to Malayali Community in Erode District

Court Rules State Recommendations Insufficient for Community Certificate Issuance Without Parliamentary Approval

In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court has denied the issuance of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to members of the Malayali community residing in Erode District, Tamil Nadu. The court emphasized that such recognition must be granted through a parliamentary enactment under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution, rather than relying solely on state government recommendations.

The judgment, delivered by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan, addressed petitions filed by P. Deepa and others, who sought community certificates recognizing their ST status based on a recommendation made by the State Government to the Government of India on March 17, 2025. The petitioners argued that similar certificates had been issued to numerous individuals within the community by the Revenue Divisional Officer in Erode.

The court underscored the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions, stating that the inclusion or exclusion of communities in the ST list is a matter of parliamentary jurisdiction. It noted that while the Malayali community is recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in Tamil Nadu, this status is limited to specific districts - namely Dharmapuri, North Arcot, Pudukottai, Salem, South Arcot, and Tiruchirappalli. Erode District is notably absent from this list.

The judges highlighted that the issuance of community certificates in Erode District, as cited by the petitioners, cannot override the established legal process required for such determinations. The court granted the State Government four weeks to explain the circumstances under which these certificates were issued, requiring a detailed reply regarding the criteria used by the Revenue Divisional Officer in Erode.

This ruling reiterates the necessity for legislative action in modifying the ST list, ensuring that any change reflects a comprehensive review by Parliament, rather than unilateral state decisions. The matter has been scheduled for further proceedings on October 23, 2025, pending the State Government's response.

Bottom Line:

Issuance of community certificates to members of the Malayali community residing in Erode District cannot be based solely on a State Government recommendation without a parliamentary enactment under Article 342 of the Constitution of India.

Statutory provision(s): Article 342 of the Constitution of India

P. Deepa v. Collector Erode District, Erode, (Madras)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2781437