The Karnataka government described as an 'unpardonable offence' remarks of Chief Mentor of Infosys Technologies Limited NR Narayana Murthy on the national anthem issue.
BANGALORE: The Karnataka government on Friday described as an 'unpardonable offence' remarks of Chief Mentor of Infosys Technologies Limited NR Narayana Murthy on the national anthem issue.
"It is an unpardonable offence. There is no need for Murthy to make a statement that instrumental version of the national anthem had to be played to avoid embarrassment to foreigners in his Mysore Global Training campus," State Home Minister MP Prakash said in the state assembly.
The Mysore City police have already registered a case against Murthy under section 3 of the Insult to National Honour Act, on the basis of a complaint lodged by an advocate.
"The case, registered as a non-cognizable offence, is under investigation," Prakash said.
He, however, said there was no 'insult' to the national anthem at the function held in the Infosys Mysore Campus on April eight, which was attended by President APJ Abdul Kalam.
The controversy arose following a statement made by Murthy at a press meet he addressed later at which he defended the playing of instrumental version of the national anthem to avoid embarrassment to foreigners present at the function, he said.
"There was no need for Murthy to make such a comment," the minister said.
"There are a lot of firms which employ foreigners in the city and also in the country. Everyone should understand his limitations and should not exceed it," Prakash said, virtually disapproving Murthy's remarks.
Earlier, Vatal Nagaraj (Vatal Paksha), who demanded a reply from the government on the issue, urged that Murthy should be deported from the state and his Infosys wound up.
"We don't need such companies," Nagaraj said.
When Nagaraj and some others objected to the statement by noted writer SL Byrappa defending Murthy, Prakash appealed to them not to rake up another controversy and to spare the writer.
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