The Supreme Court ruled that once you convert, your caste 'belongs' to another life; even if you were born Dalit, certified as such, and still face violence for it. The word that cost him protection? 'Belong.' It’s not even in the law. It’s a judicial invention. Courts started using it after a retired judge’s book in 1984; and now, it’s blocking Dalits from justice. Rohith Vemula’s case showed how messy this gets: 4 investigations, 4 different caste answers. The law says 'deemed'; the courts say 'belong.' One creates rights. The other denies them. What does that mean for millions who convert but still live caste? The real question isn’t about religion; it’s about who gets to be protected when it matters most.