Mohammad Sadique, a popular Punjabi folk singer, belongs to the Dom sub-group of the Marasi community. Traditionally considered singers and musicians, Marasis trace their ancestry to Guru Nanak’s companion Bhai Mardana, who used to play the Rabab. The religious identity of Marasis is fluid, with many having Muslim names. However, most descendants of Bhai Mardana, like Sadique, identify themselves as Sikhs.

In the 2012 Assembly elections, Sadique was elected from the Bhadaur constituency in Barnala district, which is reserved for people belonging to Scheduled Castes.

As Muslims are not allowed to claim SC status, his election was challenged in court. The Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside Sadique’s election based on the allegation that he is a Muslim.

He challenged it in the Supreme Court and in 2016, the apex court overturned the High Court’s verdict and upheld Sadique’s election. During the trial, Sadique was asked to list the five Kakars or compulsory articles of Sikhism as well as recite the Mool Mantar, which he did successfully.

It took the highest court of the land to legally establish that Sadique is a Sikh, the religion he had been following since his childhood.