Prakash Raj backs Bengaluru’s ‘Chappal Protest’

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

People’s Tribunal on SIR at 10:30 a.m.

The day will open with a People’s Tribunal at 10:30 a.m., giving Karnataka voters who say their names were wrongly removed from the rolls a platform to tell their stories. CJP co‑convener Ashutosh Ranka, founder Abhijeet Dipke and spokesperson Saurav Das are slated to moderate, alongside youth‑group representatives and civil‑society activists.

Key complaints against the SIR exercise

  • Alleged erroneous deletion of eligible voters during the roll‑revision process.
  • Demand for the reversal of deletions and restoration of pre‑SIR rolls.
  • Call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities.

Protesters stress that these allegations are based on personal testimonies and have not yet been independently verified by any authority.

Women’s safety takes centre stage

After the tribunal, the “Chappal Protest” will shift its focus to women’s safety. The move follows accusations by a group of women journalists in Delhi who claimed they were mistreated while covering protests against the Chief Election Commissioner. CJP has expressed solidarity with the journalists and urged prompt action. Delhi Police, however, has disputed the claims of physical handling and says the complaints are under investigation.

Broader campaign and upcoming actions

The Bengaluru gathering is part of a wider CJP‑led movement opposing the SIR exercise. Similar rallies have been held in other states, and another protest is slated for Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 10 October. Organisers continue to demand transparent handling of electoral‑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 cross‑section of voters, activists, youth groups and civil‑society members, all seeking a public forum for their concerns.