The High Court refused to ban the famous socio-educational survey in Karnataka in the name of caste-based survey. The bench clarified that it is not mandatory to participate in the survey and directed the government to make a public announcement that it is voluntary to provide information. The court also emphasized that the surveyor cannot insist on giving details from a person and all the data collected should be kept confidential, and access to them should be limited only to the Backward Classes Commission.
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The bench also directed the Commission to submit an affidavit, confirming compliance with these instructions. After the interim order was issued, the hearing was postponed. The order came a day after the hearing on the PILs (PIL) challenging the method of caste survey by the High Court. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi made arguments on behalf of the state government, who said that the petitioners have not challenged Article 342A (3) of the Constitution nor demanded a ban on sections 9 and 11 related to backward classes.
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Singhvi further said that the petitioners have not given any mistake in the survey nor have it claimed that the government does not have the right to conduct it. He said that the petitioners were only questioning the method of survey, including the allegation that religion as well as religion was being recorded and no prior analysis was done before publishing the caste list.