Karnataka Govt Backs Sudha Murty’s Choice on Caste Survey

• Sudha Murty declines to reveal caste in Karnataka’s Social and Educational Survey.
• Labour Minister Santosh Lad says it’s her choice but expects the same stance for Centre’s survey.
• Murty, wife of Infosys founder Narayan Murthy, cited personal reasons for non-participation.
• Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says survey participation is voluntary.
• The ₹420-crore survey has 60 questions and concludes on Oct 19.

GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 16th Oct: The Karnataka government has accepted BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty’s refusal to reveal her caste in the ongoing statewide Social and Educational Survey, though it expressed hope she would maintain the same position if a similar exercise is conducted by the Centre.

Labour Minister Santosh Lad said Murty’s decision was entirely her choice. “As a government, we cannot force anyone to participate in this. I respect her position,” he said. However, Lad added, “I hope she can say the same when the Centre conducts its survey.”

Both Sudha Murty and her husband, Infosys founder Narayan Murthy, chose not to participate in the survey, citing that they do not belong to any backward community. Murty signed a statement saying the data would not be of relevance to the government in their case and cited “personal reasons” for not disclosing caste details.

Playing down the influence of the Murtys, Minister Lad remarked, “Who is influential or not is subjective. It’s debatable. I don’t think it would have any impact on society.”

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also clarified that participation in the survey is entirely voluntary. The Karnataka High Court had earlier reaffirmed on September 25 that responses to the survey are optional.

The ₹420-crore exercise, conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC), began on September 22 and is scheduled to conclude by October 19. The final report is expected to be submitted to the state government by year-end.