Section 3(1)(a) of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act applies to:

Section 3(1)(a) of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 applies 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. It is not confined to orthodox or upper-caste Hindus, and the Explanation to s.3(1) also covers converts.