Prakash Raj throws his weight behind Bengaluru’s ‘Chappal Protest’

Veteran actor‑activist Prakash Raj has announced he will join the demonstration scheduled for 8 October at Freedom Park, Bengaluru. Organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the event is billed 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 – 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 erased from the rolls a platform to recount their experiences. CJP co‑convener Ashutosh Ranka, founder Abhijeet Dipke, and spokesperson Saurav Das are slated to moderate, alongside youth‑group leaders and civil‑society representatives.

Key complaints against the SIR drive

  • Alleged arbitrary deletion of eligible voters during the roll‑revision process.
  • Demand for immediate restoration of the removed names and reinstatement of pre‑SIR rolls.
  • Call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged irregularities.

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

Women’s safety moves to the fore

After the tribunal, the focus will shift to women’s security. The push follows accusations 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 swift remedial action. Delhi Police, however, contests the claims of forceful handling and says the matter is under investigation.

Broader campaign and next steps

The Bengaluru rally forms part of a wider CJP‑led movement opposing the SIR exercise. Similar protests have erupted in other states, and a follow‑up demonstration is planned for Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 10 October. Organisers continue to demand transparent roll‑revision procedures, a halt to the SIR mechanism, and the resignation of the chief election official.

The Election Commission maintains that the roll‑revision is intended to update voter records and ensure that every eligible citizen is captured. The Freedom Park event is expected to draw a diverse crowd of voters, activists, youth collectives and civil‑society members, all seeking a public forum for their grievances.