Tiranga march in Bengaluru demands SIR rollback, Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation

As part of a nationwide agitation, hundreds of citizens marched from Town Hall to Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Friday (October 23) to demand the immediate rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Participants gathered under the banner of a Tiranga March, representing diverse civic and social organisations, but assembled without organisational tags to protest as individual citizens. Protesters questioned the ongoing revision drive, arguing it threatens their fundamental right to vote and is an undemocratic measure.

Also Read: Delhi Police detain protesters during anti-SIR march to Election Commission

At the assembly point near Town Hall, police personnel initially stopped the procession and seized placards from several protesters. Among the confiscated material was a placard questioning Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, which read: "Are you the only one who gets the right to protest?"

The placard was torn by police personnel on site. Officers eventually granted permission for the group to march to Freedom Park, provided they proceeded without displaying banners or placards.

‘SIR is illegal’

Prominent academics, activists, and political representatives participating in the march raised concerns over constitutional violations and large-scale voter exclusion.

"I am here because I am a supporter and defender of our Indian Constitution, which is now under threat, especially by the exercise of the SIR," said Janaki Nair, a retired professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University. "It is illegal and has thrown India into a state of anxiety that we have never witnessed in post-independence India. Citizens are being forced to produce documents and prove their citizenship repeatedly."

Also Read: Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka vow to continue SIR protest after appearing before magistrate

Aam Aadmi Party state treasurer Prakash Nedungadi slammed the functioning of the poll body's leadership.

"SIR has caused immense hardship to the people of India. CEC Gyanesh Kumar has concentrated power completely in his hands. We are here to reclaim our rights," he said.

‘Democracy must be restored’

Highlighting the scale of deletions, women’s rights activist KS Vimala called for the restoration of excluded names.

"Scrap this SIR. Nearly 13 to 14 crore people whose names have been dropped must be reinstated immediately. While filters can be applied to verify illegality, 13 to 14 crore citizens cannot be deemed illegal. Democracy must be restored," she said.