Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission has clarified that participation in the ongoing social and educational survey (popularly called the caste census) is purely voluntary and not mandatory.

The clarification comes in the wake of an interim order by the Karnataka High Court that emphasized the voluntary nature of participation.

The caste census, which began on September 22, is being conducted across the state with the stated aim of collecting accurate social, economic, and educational data of households.

The exercise is expected to cover the entire state population. However, the Commission’s press release underlined that citizens and families are free to choose whether or not to provide information to the enumerators.

“The Commission does not intend to compel anyo

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