The Kerala High Court recently voiced serious concerns about a survey conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates (PSRA), a US-based organization, in partnership with Indian firm Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS India). The survey, which involved sensitive questions, raised alarms about its potential impact on national security and the unity of India's diverse religious communities. According to the High Court, the survey, particularly in Thiruvananthapuram, resulted in tensions within the local Muslim community, sparking fears that it could disrupt communal harmony.
In its ruling, the Kerala High Court directed the central government to address the issues stemming from the survey, expressing surprise at the involvement of a foreign entity in a study that included what it termed "dubious" questions. The court highlighted that surveys of this nature, involving sensitive topics related to religious groups, could undermine India's secular foundation and threaten national unity. It emphasized that foreign companies should not be allowed to conduct such surveys without explicit approval from the central government, given the country's status as a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.
The survey, which took place across 54 locations in India, led to heightened tensions in Thiruvananthapuram, prompting the Kerala Police to file a case under Section 153B(1)(c) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for statements promoting discord among communities and Section 34 for criminal acts involving multiple participants. The police investigations suggested that the survey’s intent might have been to incite emotional conflict within religious groups, particularly targeting the Muslim community, potentially disturbing the social fabric of the region.
Despite claims from PSRA that the survey was designed to gain insights into the country's traditions, values, and social attitudes, the Kerala Police's preliminary findings indicate a deeper, potentially divisive agenda. This prompted the High Court to assert that a state-level investigation alone was inadequate. It has now instructed that the findings be sent to both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs within a month, for further scrutiny.
TNS India had petitioned the High Court to dismiss the charges, asserting that the survey was purely for socio-political research. However, the court remains wary of the implications such foreign-led surveys could have on India's internal unity, noting that even if the stated objectives were academic, the actual content posed risks to communal harmony and national security. The case continues to be closely observed, raising important questions about the role of foreign companies in conducting sensitive research within India and the adequacy of oversight and regulations governing such activities.
