All her certificates, including birth and school certificates, have nil or are blank against the “caste” and “religion” columns. “They mention me as an Indian,” says
Sneha Parthibaraja, a 35-year-old lawyer from Vellore , who just received an official no caste , no religion certificate in February 5th.
Sneha mentions that with every form that she filled, the made a compulsory enclosure of community made her realize she had to get an identity 'that was sans caste and religion.'
Parthibaraja began her fight in 2010 but all her attempts remained futile, as officials usually turned down on the basis of there being no precedent in the country.
Finally, in 2017 Sneha submitted her last application and explained her stand to officials. She said that she didn't want to avail any government schemes or restrictions, and hence, her request should be granted.
On February 5th, Sub-Collector, Tirupattur, B. Priyanka Pankajam finally decided to give her the ‘no caste, no religion’ identity certificate.
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