The Karnataka High Court on Thursday (September 25, 2025) refused to stay the prevailing social and educational survey being held in the state in the name of caste-based survey. The central government had argued in the Karnataka High Court that this is a census being done under the guise of the survey and it is interfered with its jurisdiction.
The bench of Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi, while hearing several petitions questioning the validity of the survey, gave an interim order not to stop. However, the court directed the State Backward Classes Commission to maintain the confidentiality of the data collected and ensure voluntary participation.
The Karnataka High Court said in its order, 'We do not find it right to stop the survey released. However, the data collected in the survey should be kept confidential. He should not be disclosed to any person. The Backward Classes Commission will have to ensure that the information is completely safe and kept confidential.
The court has asked the Backward Classes Commission to issue a notification, which has been clarified that participation is voluntary. The court said that the calculations will have to inform the citizens in the beginning that they are not obliged to give information.
The order states, “If a person refuses to participate, the calculator will not try to convince him or pressurize him.” The petitions argued that this process is primarily a census and a violation of privacy. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, who appeared on behalf of the state, assured the court that there is adequate security measures and he offered to submit an affidavit on the matter.
On behalf of the state government, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared and Senior Advocate Ravi Verma Kumar advocated for the Backward Classes Commission. The court allowed all the parties to present additional written arguments in the coming weeks. The court has fixed December 2 for the next hearing on the matter.
The petitioners include KN Subba Reddy, members of the State Vokkaliga Union, Vokkaliga community such as former Chairman of Bangalore Advocates Association, members of the Lingayat community and Akhil Karnataka Brahmin Mahasabha.
