Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday hit out at Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and author Sudha Murty for refusing to participate in the ongoing Social and Educational Survey, clarifying that the exercise is not limited to backward classes but covers the entire population of the state.

Reacting sharply to the couple’s decision, Siddaramaiah said, “That is left to them. This is not a backward classes survey. If they haven’t understood—what can I do? Just because they are from Infosys, are they all-knowing? We have said 20 times—this is not a backward classes survey, it’s a population survey.”

He reiterated that repeated clarifications had been made by the state government, yet misconceptions persisted. “We have clarified many times. Even after that, if Sudha and Narayan Murthy think it is a backward classes survey, they are mistaken. The Central government is also conducting a survey—what will they do about that?” he added.

According to officials from the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission, enumerators who visited the Murthys’ residence were told, “We don’t want the survey conducted at our home.” The couple reportedly clarified that since they do not belong to any backward community, the exercise held no relevance for them.

Sudha Murty is said to have submitted a written statement on the survey form, explaining that the data collection had no purpose in their case. The couple also handed over a self-declaration letter formally opting out of the process.