New Delhi: Infosys Chief Mentor and Non-Executive Chairman NR Narayana Murthy landed in a mess on Tuesday after it was revealed that he may have unwittingly insulted the national anthem during a function at the company's Mysore campus on April 8, where President APJ Abdul Kalam also took part.
During a press meet after the function, Murthy reportedly said in response to a question that singing the national anthem at the function would have "embarrassed" the company employees of foreign origin. The remark evoked strong reaction from various quarters.
The Infosys management had played the instrumental version of the national anthem at the function instead of singing the same in the presence of President APJ Abdul Kalam.
Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha MLA Vatal Nagaraj even went on to termed Mr Murthy a 'traitor' during a discussion on the issue in Karnataka Assembly on Tuesday.
Karnataka Home Minister MP Prakash also assured the House that legal action will be taken against Murthy if it was proved that the IT czar had indeed insulted the national anthem.
Murthy has, meanwhile, apologised for his statement.
"We are a proud Indian company, with strong universal ethos of transparency, accountability and honesty. If the media statement has hurt anybody's sentiments, I deeply apologise," he said.
"We did play the instrumental version of the national anthem so that we could all sing along, and all of us did so. We wished to share the pride of being an Indian in the gracious presence of our President. We are informed that this is as per protocol," Murthy said in the statement.
Murthy reiterated that Infosys has always kept the interest of India foremost in the minds and its work speaks for itself.
The Karnataka politicians were, however, vociferous when the issue was raised in the Assembly on Tuesday. Home Minister MP Prakash said he has sought an enquiry into the matter and a full report on the matter will be submitted to him by Wednesday.
Nagaraj accused Murthy of insulting the language, culture and national anthem of the country by choosing not to sing the anthem at the function. He sought the state government to take immediate action against him and deport him.
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