Prakash Raj backs Bengaluru’s “Chappal Protest”

Veteran actor‑activist Prakash Raj has announced that he will join the demonstration scheduled for 8 October at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. The rally, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is being promoted as a “Chappal Protest” aimed at drawing attention to two urgent issues: the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the protection of women in public spaces.

People’s Tribunal on SIR – 10:30 a.m.

The day will kick off with a People’s Tribunal at 10:30 a.m., giving Karnataka voters who claim they were wrongly removed from the rolls an opportunity to voice their experiences. CJP co‑convener Ashutosh Ranka, founder Abhijeet Dipke and spokesperson Saurav Das will moderate, together with youth‑group leaders and civil‑society representatives.

Key complaints against the SIR drive

  • Alleged accidental deletion of eligible voters during the roll‑clean‑up.
  • Demand for immediate reinstatement of the pre‑SIR list and reversal of the deletions.
  • Call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down over alleged irregularities.

Organisers stress that the accusations are based on personal testimonies and have not yet been verified by any official body.

Women’s safety moves to the forefront

After the tribunal, the focus will shift to women’s safety concerns. The move follows allegations by a group of women journalists in Delhi who said they were mistreated while covering protests against the Chief Election Commissioner. CJP has expressed solidarity with the journalists and urged prompt corrective action. Delhi Police, however, has disputed the claims of physical handling and says the matter is under investigation.

Broader campaign and next steps

The Bengaluru gathering forms part of a wider CJP‑led movement against the SIR exercise. Similar rallies have taken place in other states, and a further demonstration is planned for Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on 10 October. Organisers continue to demand transparency in voter‑roll revisions, opposition 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 diverse mix of voters, activists, youth collectives and civil‑society members, all seeking a public platform for their grievances.