Decline in Scheduled Caste population in Karnataka raises concerns
Bengaluru: A recent survey on the Scheduled Caste (SC) population in Karnataka, overseen by Justice Nagamohan Das, has revealed a decline in SC numbers—contradicting national and historical state trends that indicate steady growth.
While the SC population in the state as per the 2011 census was 18%, it may have reduced by one or two per cent as per the latest SC survey, pending the completion of the enumeration, as reported by The New Indian Express on Wednesday.
The findings have triggered alarm among policymakers, demographers, and advocates of social justice, given their implications for representation and resource allocation. Justice Das acknowledged the observed dip. “Yes, I too have noticed the decline. It could either be because SCs have migrated out of Bengaluru to other districts—which is supported by higher SC figures in thirteen districts—or due to social taboo. Many may have hesitated to identify themselves as SCs,” TNIE quoted Das as saying.
While the survey concluded in all parts of the state on Monday, data collection has been extended by six days in Bengaluru city and its urban periphery, which officials believe may help explain the initial drop in figures.
“We have covered 95% of other areas and there is no issue there. But for Bengaluru and surrounding urban areas, we have sought time till July 6 to complete data collection,” Das stated.
Sources quoted in the report noted that verification protocols—such as requiring caste certificates or ration cards—may have led to the exclusion of individuals who previously misrepresented their caste identity. “While this increases the accuracy of the survey, it also lowers the final SC count,” they noted.
Sociologists and survey experts quoted by the news outlet suggest that persistent social stigma could also be a factor. “Many SC individuals still hesitate to declare their identity in public documentation,” an expert noted.
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Man murdered over decade-old personal dispute, accused arrested
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): A 49-year-old man was hacked to death with a machete in this district, allegedly over a personal dispute dating back nearly a decade, police said on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Basappa Hosamani, a resident of Sadoni village, they said.
The accused, Irayya Sangayya Mathapati (32), has been arrested in connection with the murder, police said.
According to the police, the incident occurred on Monday evening in Hoolikatti village of Savadatti taluk.
The crime is linked to an incident that took place about ten years ago, when Hosamani allegedly eloped with the accused's mother and went to Kolhapur in Maharashtra. At the time, accused Mathapati was 18-years-old.
Police said Hosamani had recently returned to the village for some work after leaving the woman in Kolhapur.
Investigators believe the accused, who had been nursing a long-standing grudge over the issue, attacked Hosamani with a machete, inflicting multiple fatal injuries.
After the incident, the accused allegedly informed the police himself and remained at the scene until officers arrived, they said.
A case of murder has been registered at the Savadatti police station, and further investigation is underway.
