Prakash Raj, Dhruv Rathee Join Bengaluru Protest Against SIR, Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

Actor-activist Prakash Raj and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee joined demonstrators at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on October 8, 2026, to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and supported by civil society participants, the demonstration called for the cancellation of the revision exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The gathering included CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, co-convener Ashutosh Ranka, student activists and other participants. The protesters raised concerns about electoral transparency and alleged that eligible voters could be excluded from electoral rolls through the revision process.

Prakash Raj Questions the Election Commission

Addressing the gathering, Prakash Raj called for the SIR exercise to be scrapped. He alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Raj criticised the handling of electoral-roll revision and urged citizens to participate in what he described as a campaign to protect democracy. His remarks reflected the protesters’ allegations against the Election Commission; they do not independently establish political interference in its functioning.

Dhruv Rathee Raises Transparency Concerns

Dhruv Rathee also addressed the protest, questioning the Election Commission’s transparency and accountability. He said he had joined the demonstration as a citizen and rejected the suggestion that his participation was intended to bring about a change in government.

Rathee argued that concerns over voter-list changes affected citizens across political affiliations. His participation brought additional public attention to the Bengaluru demonstration and the wider debate over the SIR process.

People’s Tribunal to Hear Voter Deletion Complaints

The protest was organised around a “People’s Tribunal”, where individuals from different parts of Karnataka were expected to share their experiences and concerns about electoral-roll changes.

CJP organisers said they intended to hear from people who believed their names had been wrongly removed from the voter lists. The event aimed to provide a platform for affected residents to describe their experiences and demand greater transparency in the revision process.

The claims presented at the gathering were allegations by participants and organisers. Determining whether a voter was wrongly excluded requires checking the relevant electoral records and the procedures available for correcting omissions.

CJP Organises Symbolic Chappal Protest

The programme also included a symbolic “chappal protest”, which organisers said was intended to express solidarity with women. The demonstration formed part of a wider campaign against the SIR exercise and the Election Commission’s handling of electoral-roll revision.

Participants raised slogans demanding accountability and the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. The protest added to a series of demonstrations organised by groups challenging the revision process in different parts of the country.

Electoral Transparency Remains at the Centre of the Debate

The Bengaluru protest highlights continuing disagreements over how electoral rolls should be revised and how authorities should address allegations of wrongful voter exclusion.

Supporters of the protest are demanding greater transparency, while the central issue remains whether electoral-roll changes are being carried out accurately and whether eligible voters have effective ways to correct errors.

The Election Commission’s published procedures, voter records and the resolution of individual claims will be important in assessing allegations arising from the SIR exercise. The controversy has also intensified calls for clear communication and accountability in the administration of elections.