BENGALURU: Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty and her husband, Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthyhave declined to participate in the ongoing socio-economic and educational survey of the Karnataka government. The government said it respected her “personal decision” but made it clear it was angry about the decision.Sudha Murty is said to have signed an enumeration form in which she wrote that they were “not part of a backward community” and therefore “did not feel the need to take part in the exercise”. The note was widely shared on social media.“It is their decision. As a government, we cannot force anyone to participate. I respect their stand,” Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said. Labor Minister Santosh Lad expressed similar views.However, IT Minister Priyank Kharge said, “It is surprising that an MP makes such statements. I clearly believe that he is inspired by other BJP functionaries. More is expected from people like them because they have inspired many generations and continue to do so. Saying that I will not contest a government poll is not right.”TV Mohandas Pai, former CFO and board member of Infosys, alleged that there was a divisive intention behind the caste survey and revealed that he had also opted out. “The motive behind the survey is completely different…The entire aim of the caste survey is to divide people and show the government that the population of Vokkaligas and Lingayats has declined,” he said.Former BJP minister Suresh Kumar criticized the government for disclosing Sudha Murty’s decision to quit the party. “The government had assured the Supreme Court that the details collected during the survey would remain confidential. Didn’t the government violate its own assurance by circulating Murty’s message?” he asked.Karnataka HC had directed the government to ensure that participation in the survey is optional and voluntary.Tejasvi Surya, MP for Bengaluru South, cited concerns over data security. “I don’t trust the government to use my data. The poor won’t benefit either,” he said.
