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Bengaluru, Oct 16 (IANS) Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and his wife, writer Sudha Murthy, have refused to participate in the controversial socio-economic and academic survey, commonly known as the caste census, being run by the Congress-led government in Karnataka.
Both of them submitted a self-attested letter to the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, the autonomous government body that conducted the survey.
In the official survey form, Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murthy said they were refusing to give details due to personal reasons. “We and our family will not participate in the census and we are confirming the same through this letter,” the draft letter said.
He further clarified that he did not belong to any backward caste and the government would not benefit from his participation in the survey. “Therefore, we are not participating,” Narayana Murthy said in the letter.
Recently, enumerators conducted a survey at the residence of Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar in Sadashivnagar, Bengaluru. Shivakumar participated in the process along with his family members. Questions were asked on religion, caste and other key details, which Shivakumar answered patiently.
However, despite providing all the necessary information, the enumerators kept asking them more questions, even cross-questions. Irritated by the lengthy questioning, Shivakumar reportedly remarked, “Why are you taking so much time just to ask questions? There is too much questioning.”
Meanwhile, senior advocate BV Acharya recently expressed the view that it would be better not to participate in the caste census, warning that if one does so, there is a risk of misuse of personal information.
Karnataka’s caste census deadline has been extended, with the survey scheduled to end by October 12 across the state and by October 24 in Bengaluru, after the initial October 7 deadline was missed due to incomplete data collection.
To facilitate completion of the survey, schools have been adjusted to a half-day schedule, and government and aided schools will operate from 8 am to 1 pm till the new deadline, with some Dussehra holidays also extended.
The decision was taken because the survey was not completed by the original deadline of October 7.
As of early October 2025, the ongoing caste survey in Karnataka has covered nearly 83 per cent of households, covering 1.22 crore families out of the total 1.43 crore in the state.
–IANS
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