Infosys chairperson Sudha Murthy was caught in the middle of a heated debate on whether royal family members still deserve respect in the form of bowing down to them decades after the end of the royal family custom in the country.
The age-old custom
A new debate exploded on social media on esteeming royal culture decades after the end of the monarchy. It all began with a Twitter post showing a worksheet for a child’s homework. “I __ to the king,” a sentence read, with ‘bow’ in the options.
A concerned father then went on, writing, “Homework sheet for my kid! Schools should be little careful with such undemocratic teachings (might seem small mistake).. they might inculcate wrong values in minds of kids.”
Homework sheet for my kid! Schools should be little careful with such undemocratic teachings (might seem small mistake).. they might inculcate wrong values in minds of kids. pic.twitter.com/L2Q73s7WsX
— Guruprasad D N (@guruve_dn) September 25, 2022
Responding to this, a Twitter user posted a picture of author Sudha Murthy bowing before a Mysuru royal.
— S Shyam Prasad (@ShyamSPrasad) September 25, 2022
“Look at Sudha Murthy bowing before a member of the Mysore royal family. She is supposed to be a role model,” a Twitter user wrote.
Twitter was divided in its opinion of whether royal families still deserved the respect of common citizens. However, many defended Murthy’s act, with a user called Varun saying, “That’s our culture. Keyboard journalists won’t understand. Irrespective of age, stature, and position everyone bows to Rajamatha. Her culture has taught her this.”
Twitter Reactions
She is from dharwad, mysore Kings didn't ruled there, technically she will not be Rajamata to her or to north karnataka people.
— Shashiraj (@Shashir49594129) September 27, 2022
I have great respect for Mrs Sudha Murthy. Her books inspired many women to look up and move on. Her prostration to the royal is an emotional expression and she is more royal than the Mysore royal family.
— Santhanam Srinivasan (@santhraj5) September 27, 2022
Oh god??♂️… is that Sudha murthy? Bowing in front of royalty? The mindset we have it in our blood, no amount of wealth and achievements would remove that from our behaviour…
— sunil (@thenamesunil) September 25, 2022
They did one point of time. Even they ruled Narayanmurthy hometown as well. They are and will be Rajavamshastharu for every Kannadiga irrespective of whether they ruled them or not. Sudha Murthy studied in IISC where land was given by them, atleast she has that gratitude
— Varun (@Varunm96) September 27, 2022
To Every kannadigas!!!??? I respect what they have giving to south karnataka, and we proud of Mysore Palace is in karnataka where we all are belong but they are not so called rajvamshastru to all kannadigas, that's it. Especially to us north karnataka people. U can worship them.
— Shashiraj (@Shashir49594129) September 27, 2022
It is done out of respect for the Royal Family of Mysore. Maybe you didn't learn Indian culture?
— Goutham (@psgoutham3) September 27, 2022
Kings were considered as gods and were worshipped too, in the past. On their part, the royals too, looked after their subjects with care and concern. its our culture to venerate the people who really built and developed karnataka, not today's scoundrels called politicians.
— BALARAJU CACARLA (@balaraju_cs) September 27, 2022
I think education should be having more than this Royalty and kinship…
— Dr. Gauraw Lakshmi (@GaurawLakshmi) September 27, 2022
