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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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
