Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy and author Sudha Murty have “some misconceptions” about the ongoing social and educational survey being conducted in the State. Addressing reporters here, Siddaramaiah said, “There is a notion that this is a survey for backward castes.” “It is not a backward classes survey. Let them write whatever they want. People should understand what this survey is about. What can I do if they are unable to understand?” he said. The Chief Minister’s remarks came after the Murthys declined to take part in the survey, noting on the pro forma that they do not belong to backward communities.
“Should Infosys (founder) mean ‘Brihaspati’ (intelligent)? We have said 20 times it’s not a backward classes survey but a survey for everyone,” Siddaramaiah said.
He said the Government had launched welfare schemes such as Shakti, which offers free bus rides to women in non-luxury Government buses, and Gruha Lakshmi, which provides Rs 2,000 a month to women heads of families from economically weaker sections.
“Aren’t upper-caste women and those above the poverty line availing the Shakti scheme? Aren’t upper-caste people among the Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries?” he asked.
The CM said that despite repeated clarifications from ministers, there were still misconceptions about the exercise. “Now the Centre is also coming up with a caste census. What answer will they (Murthys) give then? I feel they have the wrong information,” he said.
“I am making it very, very clear—this is not a survey for backward classes but a socio-economic and educational survey of seven crore people of Karnataka,” he asserted.
