Prakash Raj backs Bengaluru’s ‘Chappal Protest’

Acclaimed actor‑activist Prakash Raj has confirmed that he will take part in the demonstration scheduled for 8 October at Freedom Park, Bengaluru. Organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the gathering 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 commence with a People’s Tribunal at 10:30 a.m., where voters from across Karnataka who allege that their names were wrongly deleted from the rolls can recount their experiences. The session will be moderated by CJP co‑convener Ashutosh Ranka, founder Abhijeet Dipke and spokesperson Saurav Das, together with representatives from youth collectives and civil‑society groups.

Core grievances against the SIR exercise

  • Claims that eligible voters were improperly removed during the roll‑revision.
  • Demand for an immediate reversal of the deletions and restoration of the pre‑SIR rolls.
  • Call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged irregularities.

Protesters stress that these accusations are based on personal testimonies and have not been independently verified by any official body.

Women’s safety takes centre stage

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

Wider campaign and upcoming actions

The Bengaluru rally forms part of a broader CJP‑led campaign against the SIR exercise. Similar protests have been staged in other states, and another demonstration is slated for Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 10 October. Organisers continue to demand transparent handling of 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 all eligible citizens are included. The Freedom Park event is expected to attract a cross‑section of voters, activists, youth groups and civil‑society members, all seeking a public platform for their concerns.