Bengaluru| Karnataka’s Labour Minister Santosh Lad has responded to Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty’s decision to opt out of the ongoing socio-economic and education survey, popularly referred to as the caste survey, being conducted by the Congress-led government in the state.
Speaking to the media, Lad said, “Whatever she has said is her way of expression. It’s her choice. As a government, we cannot compel anyone to participate in this. Whether someone is influential or not is subjective and debatable. I don’t think her decision will have any major impact on society. If she has taken her stand, I respect it.”
The minister’s remarks come after Sudha Murty and her husband, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, declined to participate in the survey.
In a self-attested letter addressed to the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, the Murty family stated that they do not identify as belonging to a backward community and therefore chose not to participate.
The letter further mentioned, “We and our family will not participate in the census, and we are confirming it through this letter.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that government schools will remain closed from October 8 to October 18 to allow teachers participating in the ongoing socio-economic and educational survey to complete their assigned work.
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