K’taka govt plans seat reservation for local students in foreign universities to be set up in state
Bengaluru: In a move aimed at expanding access to global education, the Congress government is planning to introduce reservation for economically disadvantaged, meritorious local students in foreign universities expected to establish campuses in the state.
The state government has proposed this with Lancaster University of United Kingdom, which announced to set up its campus in Bengaluru recently, and operations are likely to start from February, 2026, while admissions will begin from August/September, 2026.
Karnataka Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar said that the state has held discussions on reserving seats for Karnataka students in foreign universities that plan to establish campuses in the state. According to him, the universities have responded positively to the proposal. The state government is also contemplating offering scholarships to the selected students.
Sudhakar explained that pursuing higher education abroad is often financially out of reach for many students. To address this, the government is exploring ways to offer scholarships with contributions from both the state and the universities. He added that such a model would also reflect the universities’ social commitment.
Lancaster University is reportedly planning to operate from a temporary 50,000 sq ft campus in Electronic City. The institution plans to move to its own campus within the next four years. It has also sought land and basic infrastructure at a marginal rate. The university will offer academic programs in cyber security, business, finance, and accounting.
Earlier, the University of Liverpool from the UK had signed an agreement with the state government to set up its campus at KWIN City. Additionally, Imperial College London has already opened its research wing at Bengaluru City University.
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Elderly Dalit woman cremated on road after family denied access to village cremation ground in Bihar
Vaishali: An elderly Dalit woman was cremated on a public road in Bihar’s Vaishali district after her family was allegedly prevented from using the village cremation ground, triggering outrage and tension in the area, The Observer Post reported.
The incident occurred on Thursday at Sontho Andhari village under the Goraul police station limits. The deceased, identified as Jhapki Devi (95), belonged to a Mahadalit family. According to locals and police, when her family tried to take her body to the cremation ground, some people blocked the route, leaving the family with no option but to perform the last rites on the road.
Family members and residents said the obstruction has been a long-standing issue. “Every time we take a body for cremation, the way is blocked. This has happened earlier too, but no permanent solution was given,” said a local resident from Manjhi Tola, expressing anger over repeated denial of access.
As tensions rose, the funeral procession stopped at Andhari Gachi Chowk, where the body was placed on a pyre in front of a Shiva temple and cremated on the road. Villagers alleged that the pathway connecting the main road to the cremation ground had been encroached upon by local landowners.
Police and administrative officials later reached the spot. A fire brigade vehicle was deployed to extinguish the pyre, and the road was cleaned after the cremation. Public representatives who arrived at the scene were reportedly chased away by protesting villagers, who accused the administration of ignoring their complaints for years.
Vaishali Superintendent of Police Vikram Sihag said the issue arose due to the absence of a clear path. “Earlier, there was a route to the cremation ground, but some people built a temple on that path. Due to the lack of access, the family carried out the cremation on the road,” he said. He added that discussions were held with local officials and that arrangements would be made to restore access to the cremation ground. “The situation is currently under control,” the SP said.
Block Development Officer Pankaj Kumar Nigam and Circle Officer Divya Chanchal said the area had been cleared and an inquiry was under way. “All aspects will be examined, and steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” they said.
