Tue Sep 23 12:21:13 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
The Karnataka High Court heard arguments regarding the legality of a social and educational survey being conducted by the state government. Petitioners argue the survey, which links caste particulars with various personal identification details, violates the right to privacy. The state government claims it’s not a “caste census” but a data collection effort to identify eligible beneficiaries for government schemes. The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes stated that disclosing the information is not required. The hearing was adjourned with arguments remaining inconclusive.
**News Article:**
**Karnataka High Court Hears Arguments on Legality of State Social Survey**
**Bengaluru, September 23, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court today heard arguments regarding the legality of a social and educational survey being conducted by the state government. The survey, spearheaded by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, has come under scrutiny due to its collection of caste information and its linkage to personal data such as Aadhaar numbers, ration cards, and electricity connections.
Petitioners, including representatives from the Rajya Vokkaliga Sangha, Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, Akhila Karnataka Veerashaiva-Lingyata Mahasabha and individual advocates, argue that the survey violates the fundamental right to privacy guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. They claim the data collected is vulnerable to hacking and misuse, especially since the survey lacks the statutory safeguards provided under the Census Act.
“The data collected is stored digitally and can be hacked or leaked, or published without the knowledge of the person concerned and the Government Order reveals that the State intends to geo-tag each household, assign a Unique Household ID, and link caste particulars with Aadhaar numbers, ration cards, mobile numbers, and electricity (RR) connections, all without the backing of any specific legislation” petitioners claimed.
The state government, however, maintains that the survey is not a “caste census” but a data collection initiative designed to identify individuals eligible for various welfare schemes. They argue that denying them the right to collect such data would impede their ability to effectively implement these programs.
The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes further clarified that participation in the survey is voluntary, and that Aadhaar cards are only being used for identification purposes.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi presided over the hearing. As arguments remained inconclusive, the bench adjourned further deliberation until September 24th. The court will need to decide if the benefits of the social survey will outweigh the concerns regarding data privacy.
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