Karnataka High Court to hear plea on backward classes survey stay tomorrow

The Karnataka High Court has scheduled arguments for September 23 on whether the ongoing Socio-Economic and Educational Survey by the State Commission for Backward Classes should be put on hold. The issue came up on September 22 before a division bench headed by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi.

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Initially, the bench considered deferring the matter until after the Dasara vacation. However, petitioners’ counsels highlighted concerns over privacy, pointing out that the survey involves geo-tagging of residents and linking information with Aadhaar. They argued that such measures contravene the Aadhaar Act of 2016 and infringe upon citizens’ right to privacy.

What petitioners stressed

Petitioners also stressed urgency, stating that the data collection exercise is slated for completion by October 6, before the court reconvenes post-vacation. In response, the bench sought clarification from the State on whether the survey could be temporarily paused until the legal challenges are addressed.

The State Government maintained that the current initiative merely updates data from an earlier survey, which had not been restrained by the court in prior cases. It also contended that any information gathered could be set aside if the survey is later invalidated.

The bench expressed skepticism over the reversibility of collected data and agreed to hear detailed arguments on the request for a stay during its September 23 afternoon session. The petitions were filed by community organizations and individuals from the Vokkaliga, Brahmin, and Veerashaiva-Lingayat groups.