Enumerators during the Social and Education Survey at Nagendra Block in Bengaluru recently.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
Even as the Social and Educational Survey continues across the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits, several resident welfare associations (RWAs) remain divided over participation. While some have agreed to cooperate, others are refusing over what they call “privacy concerns” and suspicion about the “purpose of the exercise”.
Several RWAs have objected to the nature of questions being asked, calling them “intrusive” and beyond the scope of a caste survey.
“The government is collecting personal details about assets and family background in the name of social mapping. If this is a caste survey, we should be asked only about one thing – our caste. The rest of everything is unnecessary,” argued a representative of the Venkateshwara Nagar RWA, unmindful of the stated purpose of the survey being measuring social and educational backwardness.
Welfare scheme
Some others worry about the survey’s implications for welfare schemes and that the data could be “misused for political or economic targeting”.
“Those who are not from backward classes don’t see any use from this. There’s also a concern that it might be used to deny benefits under guarantee schemes. We may not gain from it, but we don’t want to lose either, so it’s better not to participate,” argued Ramesh Krishna, a resident of an apartment complex in South Bengaluru.
Accurate representation
Several RWAs, on the other hand, have chosen to cooperate, with members noting that they see the exercise as an opportunity to ensure accurate representation in government records and policymaking.
Satish Mallya, president of the Bengaluru Apartments’ Federation (BAF), representing over 1,000 apartment complexes, said that they communicated to the members that a survey will be held, and enumerators will be coming at any time, requesting them to cooperate. Mr. Mallya added that they suggested the residents do the survey online and submit it directly, as apartment complexes are generally large, and it may take time to finish off the process.
“The new corporations’ commissioners also reached out. They said we will be having an online meeting where the commissioners or officials will be present to address apprehensions and clarify the intent of the exercise,” Mr. Mallya said.
Vice-president of Purva Highland RWA, Siddarameshwar, said that the survey in their complex is yet to begin and that they too have urged the residents to cooperate but have clarified that it is not compulsory.
Commissioners convincing to get all on board
Speaking to The Hindu, one of the commissioners said, “We are holding meetings with RWA representatives. In some areas, we have been able to convince residents to come on board. In a day or two, we’ll have a clearer picture of which communities are still not cooperating. The resistance is largely seen from residents who are not native to Karnataka,” the official added.
Published – October 08, 2025 10:49 pm IST
