By TCN News,
New Delhi: The Centre will take stringent action against those conducting surveys that create hatred and tension between different religious communities. Action will be taken as per the existing criminal laws as such surveys are illegal.
The explanation of the central government on the controversial issue was given by Ajay Makhan, Minister of State for Home Affairs, for a question raised by Kerala MP KP Dhanapalan. The question was asked in the light of the controversial survey conducted for an American agency in the Muslim-populated Karimadom Colony at Attakulangara in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Minister said that foreigners can conduct surveys in India for research and other purposes only after getting prior permission from the government providing details including funds. The company named TNS in Kochi had conducted the survey in Thiruvananthapuram for an American agency and case has been registered, he informed.
The survey was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram on October 2. The survey had questions maligning the Muslim community, many of which questioning even their patriotism. An FIR has been registered against the TNS India which conducted the survey. The case is being investigated by the Thiruvananthapuram Fort Police. The TNS had filed a petition against the case in the High Court and the court ruled against the company that the police could continue the case. However, even after two months of beginning the investigation, no arrests have been reportedly made. Those who collected data for the survey from houses were taken in custody and later released.