BENGALURU: The political controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified on Thursday as YouTuber and political commentator Dhruv Rathee, Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and actor-activist Prakash Raj joined a public mobilisation in Bengaluru.
A “People’s Tribunal” was organised at Freedom Park to hear concerns from people who claim they were affected by the electoral roll revision exercise. Organisers said people from different parts of Karnataka would share their experiences and raise concerns about alleged wrongful deletions from voter lists.
The event was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party along with youth organisations and civil society groups. The programme was presented as an effort to provide a platform to people who believe their names may have been removed from electoral rolls during the SIR process.
Rathee had confirmed his participation in the programme through a video posted on social media. Prakash Raj had also appealed to citizens to participate in what he described as a campaign to protect democracy.
The Bengaluru mobilisation comes amid a wider political confrontation over the electoral roll revision exercise. Opposition parties have alleged that the process could result in eligible voters being excluded, while the Election Commission has maintained that procedures are in place to address claims and objections.
The tribunal is significant because organisers say it will focus on testimonies from people who describe themselves as victims of SIR. According to the organisers, their objective is to document individual cases and bring public attention to concerns surrounding the revision of voter lists.
The programme is also linked to a broader protest campaign. Following the tribunal, organisers planned a “chappal protest”. CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka had said the protest would also express solidarity with women and highlight concerns raised by women journalists.
The participation of Rathee and Prakash Raj has given the Bengaluru programme additional visibility. Rathee has a large online audience, while Prakash Raj has previously spoken publicly about political and electoral issues.
The developments in Bengaluru came on the same day that tensions escalated in Delhi, where Opposition MPs continued protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among leaders detained during Wednesday’s protest.
Delhi Police subsequently registered three more FIRs connected with the demonstration. Police said the cases involved allegations including assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing, manhandling and misbehaviour with police personnel. The names of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra figure in the details of the FIRs registered so far.
The simultaneous developments in Bengaluru and Delhi have widened the political debate surrounding SIR. While opposition leaders and activists continue to question the process, authorities maintain that electoral roll revision is part of the election machinery and that legitimate voters have avenues to raise objections.
With demonstrations now spreading beyond Parliament and Delhi, the SIR controversy is increasingly becoming a major political issue involving opposition parties, civil society groups, activists and sections of the public.