New Delhi: Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and his wife Sudha Murty were severely criticised by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when they declined to participate in a current caste and socio-economic survey of the state.
Addressing the press, Siddaramaiah remarked that simply because they are of Infosys, are they all-knowledgeable? They have not made out what the caste survey is. He explained that the survey is targeted to all the people in the state, and not solely to individuals of backward societies.
Sudha Murty’s statement on behalf of Narayana Murthy
In reports, the officials had to visit the Murthys in Bengaluru and when they arrived to gather information, they were informed that the family was not going to participate. Sudha Murty signed a statement as well stating that their family did not fall into any category of backward and thus, they were not participating in the process.
The Chief Minister was displeased and mentioned that this kind of educated population should have helped the government in its effort to gather valid data regarding social and economic factors. “No one is above the law. We have to cooperate as everybody in order to plan better welfare schemes, he said.
Siddaramaiah also doubted whether individuals belonging to large corporations such as Infosys believe that they are equal to gods and, thus, do not have to participate in such a survey.
The Karnataka caste survey, which commenced last month, will help to have detailed information regarding education, income and social background of people. The information will assist the state in making development programs and welfare policy decisions on behalf of the various communities.
Meanwhile in the meantime, other individuals such as former Infosys director T.V. Mohandas Pai have condemned the survey, they argue that it advocates caste separation rather than employment and progress.
The government on the other hand believes that the survey is voluntary but valuable in knowing the actual social and economic state of Karnataka.
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