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42m ago

Karnataka HC Lets Caste Survey Proceed Under Strict Conditions

Judges mandated confidentiality, voluntary participation, a prompt data‑protection affidavit, final arguments in December.

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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
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Overview

  • The division bench declined to stay the socio‑economic and educational survey, directing that all collected data remain confidential and accessible only to the Backward Classes Commission.
  • The court ordered a public notification stating participation is optional, and instructed enumerators to tell households at the outset that they need not provide information or explanations for refusing.
  • The Commission must file an affidavit within one working day detailing data‑security measures, with petitions challenging the exercise listed for further hearing in December.
  • The Union government argued in court that the exercise is a census “cloaked as a survey,” while the state defended it as a voluntary data effort to inform welfare policy.
  • The survey launched on September 22 for a 15‑day run using about 1.7–1.75 lakh enumerators to cover roughly 7 crore people, but early days saw app, OTP and network glitches; the cabinet approved disciplinary action for officials skipping survey duties.