Thu Sep 25 15:40:13 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, along with a summary of the original article’s content:

**Summary:**

The Karnataka High Court declined to stop the ongoing Social and Educational Survey-2025 but imposed conditions to protect citizen’s rights. The conditions mandate that the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes clearly informs the public that participation is voluntary, and no one is obligated to disclose information. Enumerators must inform participants of their right to decline at the outset, and not pressure those who refuse. The court also demanded the commission file an affidavit detailing how they are ensuring data confidentiality. The petitions, filed by various community organizations, challenged the survey, labeling it a “caste census” and raising concerns about privacy violations through Aadhaar data collection. The commission assured the court that participation is not mandatory and data will be protected.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka High Court Allows Social Survey to Proceed, Imposes Conditions to Protect Citizen Rights**

**Bengaluru, September 25, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court today issued an interim order allowing the Social and Educational Survey-2025 to continue, but imposed strict conditions aimed at safeguarding citizen’s rights and privacy. The court’s decision comes in response to petitions filed by organizations including the Vokkaligara Sangha, the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, and the Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha, who challenged the legality and potential privacy violations of the survey.

While declining to halt the survey entirely, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi ordered the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes to issue a public notification emphasizing that participation is entirely voluntary.

“The Commission must clearly inform the public that there is no obligation to disclose any information sought,” the court stated in its order. “Enumerators must inform participants of this right at the beginning of the survey process, and cease all attempts to persuade or compel participation from those who decline.”

The court further directed the Commission to file an affidavit within one working day, detailing the measures being taken to ensure the confidentiality of the collected data and prevent unauthorized access, including access by the State government.

The petitioners argued that the survey, which they characterized as a “caste census,” exceeds the State government’s legal authority and raises serious concerns about the collection of Aadhaar and other sensitive data, potentially infringing upon citizens’ right to privacy.

The Commission, during previous hearings, assured the court that participation in the survey is voluntary and that steps are being taken to protect the collected information. Today’s ruling adds a layer of judicial oversight to ensure these assurances are upheld throughout the survey process. The case is ongoing.

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