Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy and his wife, Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty, have declined to participate in the ongoing social, educational, and economic survey, commonly known as the caste survey, in Karnataka.
According to the sources, when enumerators visited the couple’s Jayanagar house on October 10, they were politely but firmly informed of their decision. A source at the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) said the couple have submitted a written declaration stating their reasons for not participating in the Karnataka caste survey.
“We do not belong to the backward class. We are economically, socially, and educationally advanced. In this case, there is no benefit to the government or the backward class from getting our information. The basic purpose of this survey is to identify the backward class and provide them with facilities. Therefore, it is right for us not to participate in it,” the letter said.
On Wednesday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Urban Development Minister D K Shivakumar said participation in the caste survey is optional, not mandatory. “This is everyone’s personal matter. We cannot force anyone into this. It is their own choice,” he told reporters.
The Karnataka caste survey, currently underway statewide, comprises 60 main questions and 20 sub-questions designed by the State Commission for Backward Classes.
As of October 15, 15,42,997 households have been surveyed across five city corporations in Bengaluru.
Maheshwar M Rao, Chief Commissioner, GBA, said a special evening drive will be conducted Thursday, and enumerators will visit houses between 6 pm and 9 pm to collect the details. “This is a driver to cover those who are not available during the daytime,” he said.
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The Karnataka High Court, on September 25, in its oral order while hearing a petition filed by Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Maha Sabha, said that no person is obligated to disclose any information as sought.
“The Commission shall issue public notice clarifying that participation in this survey is voluntary and no person is obligated to disclose any information as sought. The participation in the impugned survey and disclosure of any information is purely voluntary,” the High Court said.
“If the participant declines to participate in the survey or answer any query, the enumerators would take no further steps to pressurise the participants, in any manner, to divulge any information or identity.”