HC upholds Karnataka's socio-economic survey, mandates voluntary participation

The Karnataka High Court HC on Thursday refused to stay the ongoing socioeconomic survey initiated by the state government despite objections raised by petitioners regarding its methodology and intent news agency ANI reportedIn its judgment the court stressed that participation in the survey must remain entirely voluntary It directed the government to issue a clear notification ensuring that citizens are aware they are not obligated to participateThe court also underscored the need for strict confidentiality in handling survey data Authorities were instructed to ensure that no personal or sensitive information collected is made public or shared with any unauthorised entities ANI reportedSenior Advocate Vivek Reddy representing the petitioners criticised the survey process calling it flawedFirst of all the division of caste is not correct by the state government The entire exercise is flawed because there is no proper head caste and subcaste When we are undergoing a survey of this comprehensive nature it should be scientific and clear They have included various other groups that were not included in the survey Our main concern is regarding the creation of an artificial caste to manipulate the survey and take it in the wrong direction There was also a concern regarding data storage and protection Reddy told ANIOn September 12 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the launch of a largescale castebased socioeconomic survey aimed at assessing the states socioeducational landscapeThe initiative is being carried out under the leadership of Madhusudan Naik Chairman of the Backward Classes BC Commission and five commission membersThe survey targeting approximately seven crore residents is scheduled to take place between September 22 and October 7Despite opposition criticism CM Siddaramaiah has remained firm on the governments positionSpeaking to reporters he said The BJP is doing politics on this issue and accusing the Congress government of being antiHindu All the ministers have been instructed to condemn this unanimously The survey will start from September 22 and will not be postponedEarlier in July Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy presented the lsquoTelangana SocioEconomic Survey ndash Model and Methodologyrsquo at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi Highlighting the surveys comprehensive approach Reddy said the initiative was ldquonot just a caste survey but a social economic educational employment and political surveyrdquoAccording to Telanganarsquos data Other Backward Classes OBCs including practising Muslims Christians Sikhs and Buddhists comprise 564 per cent of the statersquos population Scheduled Castes SCs make up 174 per cent Scheduled Tribes STs 108 per cent and forward castes 109 per cent Additionally 39 per cent of the population has been categorised as having ldquono casterdquo the report notedThe survey also documented previously unlisted castes and assessed their socioeconomic status by name and locationWith ANI inputs