Delhi (India),18th Jan 2023: Supreme Court on Tuesday received a petition challenging the Bihar government’s decision to conduct a caste survey in the state.
The petition was filed by “Hindu Sena” President Vishnu Gupta, claiming the notification issued by the state was “discriminatory and unconstitutional.”
The petition sought to quash the notification issued by the deputy secretary, government of Bihar, in respect of conducting the caste survey in the state and to restrain the authorities concerned from conducting the exercise.
It was alleged that the notification violated Article 14 of the Constitution, which provides for equality before the law and equal protection of the law, and was “illegal, arbitrary, irrational, and unconstitutional.”
The petition also said the decision of the state government of Bihar to conduct the caste-based census has no constitutional or statutory sanction and is an attempt to strike at the unity and integrity of the country and to create social disharmony among the people on caste lines for petty vote bank politics.
The petition was listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha on January 20. Other similar petitions are also likely to be heard.
