Siddaramaiah criticizes Murthys over Karnataka caste survey, questions Infosys connection

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly criticized Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and author-philanthropist Sudha Murthy for opting out of the state government’s socio-economic survey, dismissing claims that it only targets backward classes.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah clarified that the survey is comprehensive, covering the entire population under the Shakti Yojana. “This survey includes the poor and the upper castes. There is misinformation about this. The government has communicated the details through advertisements. It covers seven crore people in the state. It is wrong to think of it as a backward caste survey,” he said.

Addressing the Murthys directly, the CM remarked, “Are the people from Infosys some kind of experts? Just because they are from Infosys, do they know everything? This is not a backward caste survey; it is a survey of all castes. Upper caste people also benefit from schemes like free electricity and bus travel for women. This survey is for everyone.”

Siddaramaiah accused the couple of being misinformed and emphasized that the survey is designed to gather economic, educational, and social data across Karnataka. The ongoing caste census includes 60 main questions and 20 sub-questions, drafted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.

What Did the Murthys Say?
The Murthy couple declined participation after survey officials approached them, stating they do not belong to any backward category. Sudha Murty submitted a self-declaration letter confirming their refusal. “We do not belong to any backward community. Hence, we will not participate in a government-conducted survey meant for such groups,” she stated in Kannada.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said participation is entirely voluntary. “We don’t force anyone to take part. It’s completely their choice,” he noted. Minister Santosh Lad added that Sudha Murty’s decision does not set a precedent for others and pointed out that the central government has provided a 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections, which also requires consideration.

The comments from Siddaramaiah highlight ongoing debates around the caste survey and the importance the state government places on broad participation across all communities.