(1) This Act applies—
(a) to any person, who is a Hindu by religion in any of its forms or developments, including a Virashaiva, a Lingayat or a follower of the Brahmo, Prarthana or Arya Samaj,
(b) to any person who is a Buddhist, Jaina or Sikh by religion, and
(c) to any other person who is not a Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew by religion, unless it is proved that any such person would not have been governed by the Hindu law or by any custom or usage as part of that law in respect of any of the matters dealt with herein if this Act had not been passed.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), nothing contained in this Act shall apply to the members of any Scheduled Tribe within the meaning of clause (25) of article 366 of the Constitution unless the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, otherwise directs.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 2
Section 2 defines the personal applicability of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, delineating who is governed as a Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina, or Sikh, and establishing the statutory exemption for Scheduled Tribes.
When representing litigants from tribal backgrounds, verify if a Section 2(2) objection is raised. If defending adoption or maintenance, plead and prove Hinduisation through Vedic rituals, temple worship, and departure from tribal customary rules.