On Friday, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah criticized Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty and her husband, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, for not participating in the state government’s caste-based socio-economic survey.
He called Sudha Murty’s understanding of the exercise “wrong.” Siddaramaiah claimed their decision came from misinformation. He also questioned whether they would refuse to cooperate if the Centre conducted a similar caste survey.
Why Karnataka CM slams Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty
“It is wrong to think of the survey as a survey of the backward classes,” Siddaramaiah told reporters. “The central government will also conduct a caste census in the coming days. Will they still not cooperate? They may be showing disobedience due to the misinformation they have. The state has a population of about seven crore, and this is an economic, educational, and social survey of these people.”
“A survey of seven crore people”
Siddaramaiah added that the initiative includes people from all sections of society. “This is a survey that involves the entire population. There is misinformation about category people included. The government has communicated the messages of the ministers and the chief minister to the public through advertisements. It’s a survey of seven crore people in the state,” he said.
Earlier on Thursday, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge also expressed disappointment over Sudha Murty opting out of the socio-economic survey. He found it surprising that a member of parliament would make such statements. He questioned whether Murty’s decision was influenced by BJP leaders, given her ties to the party.
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