Another petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against the decision of Nitish Kumar government to conduct caste census in Bihar. The court has also agreed to hear this petition on January 20, combining it with the earlier petition.
A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha was hearing a PIL filed by advocate Barun Kumar Sinha, appearing for the petitioner. In this, there has been a demand to stop the officials from conducting the caste census in the state. The Supreme Court observed that a similar matter is already listed in the court for hearing on January 20.
Petition has already been filed
Petitioner Akhilesh Kumar has sought quashing of the June 6, 2022 notification issued by the Bihar government for conducting caste survey in the state. The petition states that the subject of census falls under List-I of the 7th Schedule of the Constitution and only the Center has the power to conduct the exercise.
The PIL has alleged That the notification violates Article 14 of the Constitution which provides for equality before law and equal protection under law. The petition stated that the notification was illegal, arbitrary, irrational and unconstitutional.