Bengaluru: A large protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was held at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Thursday, bringing together members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), student organisations, civil society groups and activists. The event began with a People’s Tribunal, where participants claimed they had been affected by the voter list revision process, followed by a symbolic “Chappal Protest.” Actor-activist Prakash Raj, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke attended the programme, while organisers said the agitation was aimed at highlighting alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision exercise.

During the protest, speakers strongly criticised the Election Commission and demanded the withdrawal of the SIR exercise. Prakash Raj argued that the issue extended beyond the removal of names from voter lists, describing it as a matter of protecting citizens’ democratic rights. CJP leaders called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, restoration of the January 2025 electoral rolls, an independent inquiry into the revision process and broader electoral reforms. Dhruv Rathee also addressed the gathering, alleging a lack of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the voter revision exercise, while maintaining that his participation was not aimed at seeking a change in government.

The Bengaluru mobilisation is being viewed as a precursor to the CJP-backed nationwide protest scheduled for October 10 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Organisers said youth from across the country are expected to participate in the demonstration to raise concerns over alleged voter deletions and electoral transparency. Authorities have tightened security arrangements around the protest venue, while organisers have maintained that their movement will remain peaceful. The developments have intensified the political debate over the SIR exercise, with both supporters and critics continuing to present sharply opposing views on the issue.