"Not backward": Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy, Wife Refuse to Participate in Karnataka Caste Survey

Bengaluru: Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and his wife Sudha Murty have declined to take part in Karnataka’s ongoing social and educational survey, nicknamed caste survey, saying they do not belong to any backward caste, sources in the BBMP said on Thursday.
When enumerators visited their residence recently, the couple reportedly told them, “We don’t want the survey conducted at our home.” Sudha Murty has signed a self-declaration form refusing to provide information, as issued by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission for the Social and Educational Survey 2025.
The form states, “Due to some of my personal reasons, I am refusing to provide information in the social and educational survey being conducted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission.” In addition, Sudha Murty reportedly wrote in Kannada, “We do not belong to any backward community. Hence, we will not participate in a government-conducted survey meant for such groups.”
Sudha Murty, her personal assistant, and Infosys officials did not respond to repeated calls and messages seeking comments on the issue.
The survey, which began on September 22 and was initially scheduled to conclude on October 7, has now been extended until October 18. As teachers across the state are heavily involved in the survey, schools in the state remain closed during this period, leading to a significant loss of teaching days for students.