Karnataka High Court Refuses to Stay Ongoing Caste Census, Mandates Data Confidentiality

The Karnataka High Court has refused to halt the ongoing 'caste census' in the state, which began on Monday. The survey will continue as planned with certain stipulations imposed by the court.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Joshi stated they found no sufficient grounds to interrupt the survey currently underway in Karnataka. However, they established important conditions regarding how the data should be handled.

In their ruling, the judges mandated that all information collected must remain strictly confidential. "The data collected shall not be disclosed to anyone," the bench emphasized, instructing the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) to ensure that all data is fully protected.

Additionally, the High Court directed the KSCBC to issue a public notification clarifying that participation in this survey is entirely voluntary. The court specified that enumerators must inform citizens that no one is obligated to disclose any information they do not wish to share.

This decision comes as the social and educational survey, commonly referred to as the caste survey, continues across Karnataka after its commencement earlier this week.