Particle.news
Download on the App Store
18 ARTICLES
·
38m ago

Karnataka HC Allows Caste Survey to Proceed Under Voluntary, Confidentiality Rules

The state is pressing ahead with training, UHID tagging, staff enforcement, with the Union contesting the survey’s legality.

Image
A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi made it clear that while the survey may proceed, the data gathered must remain strictly confidential and protected from disclosure. | Image: Shutterstock
Image
Image

Overview

  • The High Court declined to stay the socio‑educational survey and ordered that participation be voluntary with no compulsion to answer.
  • Judges directed a public notification on voluntariness, mandated strict confidentiality, and limited data access to the Backward Classes Commission.
  • The Commission was asked to file an affidavit confirming compliance with these interim directions after concerns over privacy and procedure were raised.
  • The Union government argued the exercise is a census in the guise of a survey reserved for the Centre, but the court saw no reason to halt it at this stage.
  • Operationally, the rollout faced app and OTP glitches and a slow start as the state moved to expedite work, empower the Bengaluru authority to take action against absentees, train enumerators, and deploy GPS-based UHID stickers.