New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Bihar government on the plea challenging a caste-based survey in the state and refused to stay anything arising out of the publication of the data of the caste census.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti made it clear that it is not going to stay anything at this point.
The court said that it cannot stop the state government or any government from taking a decision as that would be wrong.
The court, however, said it would consider any issue with regard to data of caste-based survey and examine the issue regarding the power of the state govt to conduct such exercises.
#Patna: On Supreme Court refusing to stay Bihar caste-based survey, state Minister Ashok Choudhary says: "...It is a matter of joy for people like us who support this (caste-based survey). It is good. This is delightful for those who support the caste-based census and are in… pic.twitter.com/3EoAaArFKP
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) October 6, 2023
The court also sought to know from the Bihar government why they published the data.
The court was hearing petitions challenging the Patna High Court's decision to uphold the caste survey initiated by the Bihar Government.
The petitioner's lawyer has apprised the court that the Bihar Government has already published the caste survey data, prompting concerns and challenges from various quarters.
Among the petitioners are organizations like Ek Soch Ek Prayas and 'Youth For Equality', who have contested the legality and authority of the caste-based survey.
The survey aims to collect data related to people of all castes, sub-castes, and socioeconomic conditions, covering an estimated population of 12.70 crores across 38 districts in Bihar. (with ANI inputs)
