Journalism of Courage
Pune was among the 18 cities where the controversial Taylor Nelson Sofres India survey was conducted. On October 2 residents of Thiruvanathpurams Karimadom Colony had informed the police about objectionable questions in a 83-page quesstionaire that they were asked to fill by TNS surveyors.
The Kerala police registered a case against the surveyors under section 153 A (for promoting enemity between various groups) of Indian Penal Code. Commissioner of Thiruvanathapuram Police,Ajith Kumar,said,Investigation revealed that TNS India was conducting the survey for a US-based firm Princeton Survey Research Associates. TNS India has told us that they have conducted this social,economic and political survey in 18 cities,including Pune. We have not shared this information with the Pune police but we have informed the Intelligence Bureau and investigation is being done to understand the purpose behind the survey. The survey agency was given a target of filling up 6,000 forms before October 4, he said.
The agency had set a target of filling 100 to 150 forms from each of these cities. We believe the agency may have collected details from about 150 persons in or around Pune. We dont have information about the areas in Pune where they conducted the survey, said Kumar. Besides Pune,the survey was conducted in Muslim-dominated areas of Mumbai and Nagpur. The questionaire was in English and 10 regional languages.
According to the police,the survey included questions such as Do you consider yourself an Indian first or Muslim?,Your view on imposing Islamic Law in India,your view on Osama Bin Laden,Do you wear Burqa?
Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone IV) Sanjay Jadhav said he was not aware of the matter. Popular Front of India (PFI) has passed a resolution to launch a protest against the survey. National secretary of PFI,O M A Salaam,said,The survey is anti-national. It is supported by a US-based agency. The Kerala government has referred the matter to the Centre seeking proper investigation by the central investigative agencies. If the agencies fail to act against TNS India we will launch agitation. TNS India and Princeton Survey Research Associates did not comment.
