Date:12/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/12/stories/2007041208170400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

MLAs for action against Narayana Murthy

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Members of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday refused to accept Infosys Chief Mentor N.R. Narayana Murthy's apology for his remarks on the national anthem, and demanded that the Government initiate action against him.

Vatal Nagaraj (Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha) said that the apology tendered by Mr. Murthy on Tuesday in response to criticism of his remark that the instrumental version of the national anthem was played on the Infosys campus in Mysore on Sunday to avoid embarrassment to foreigners proved that disrespect was shown to the anthem.

He demanded the Government to explain what action it would take against Mr. Murthy.

G.V. Sriramareddy (CPI-M) accused Mr. Murthy of showing disrespect to the nation while H.D. Basavaraj (BJP) said that the apology should not be accepted and legal action initiated against Mr Murthy.

H.D. Venkatesh (JD-S) urged the Government not to cooperate with Infosys in future and not to give it land or subsidy while granting facilities.

In a reply, Home Minister M.P. Prakash said he had sought a report from the police on the incident in which Mr. Murthy defended the playing of the instrumental version of the anthem at a function attended by the President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.