Prakash Raj Supports Bengaluru’s ‘Chappal Protest’
Renowned actor‑activist Prakash Raj has confirmed that he will take part in the demonstration scheduled for 8 October at Freedom Park, Bengaluru. The rally, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is being promoted as a “Chappal Protest” that will bring two urgent issues into the spotlight: the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the safety of women in public spaces.
People’s Tribunal on the SIR Issue – 10:30 a.m.
The day will open with a People’s Tribunal at 10:30 a.m., giving voters from across Karnataka a platform to recount how they believe their names were wrongly erased from the rolls. CJP co‑convener Ashutosh Ranka, founder Abhijeet Dipke and spokesperson Saurav Das are slated to moderate, alongside representatives of youth collectives and civil‑society organisations.
Key complaints against the SIR roll‑revision
- Alleged wrongful removal of eligible voters during the roll‑clean‑up.
- Demand for the reinstatement of the pre‑SIR lists and reversal of deletions.
- Call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down over alleged irregularities.
Protesters stress that these accusations are based on personal testimonies and have not yet been independently verified by any official agency.
Women’s safety moves to the forefront
After the tribunal, the focus will shift to women’s security concerns. The shift follows allegations by a group of women journalists in Delhi who said they were mishandled while covering protests against the Chief Election Commissioner. CJP has expressed solidarity with the journalists and urged swift remedial action. Delhi Police, however, has disputed the claims of physical handling and says the matter is under investigation.
Broader campaign and future rallies
The Bengaluru gathering forms part of a wider CJP‑led movement opposing the SIR exercise. Similar protests have taken place in several other states, and a further demonstration is planned at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 10 October. Organisers continue to demand transparent handling of voter‑roll revisions, a halt to the SIR mechanism, and the resignation of the chief election official.
The Election Commission maintains that the roll‑revision exercise is intended to update voter records and ensure that every eligible citizen is included. The Freedom Park event is expected to attract a cross‑section of voters, activists, youth groups and civil‑society members, all seeking a public forum for their concerns.
