<h1>Union minister alleges caste survey illegally collected sensitive personal data, risks enumerator safety and political misuse</h1> A union minister criticized a state-led social and educational 'caste survey,' alleging excessive, sensitive data collection, potential threats to enumerators, and claims the data has been or could be sold, raising data-security and privacy concerns. The minister questioned the survey's scope and purpose, cited past unimplemented efforts and expenditure, and accused the ruling party of using the exercise for political ends. Legally, the issues implicate data protection and storage obligations, informed consent, potential misuse or unlawful disclosure, employment protections for enumerators, and possible challenges under administrative law if the survey exceeds statutory authority or lacks adequate safeguards.