From Delhi Detentions to Bengaluru Protest, Opposition Campaign Against SIR Gains Momentum

BENGALURU: Opposition protests against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls are gathering momentum, with political leaders facing police action in Delhi while activists and public personalities prepare a major mobilisation in Bengaluru.

The latest developments have created two parallel fronts in the debate. In Delhi, INDIA bloc leaders are confronting police authorities during demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In Bengaluru, civil society groups and activists are taking their campaign directly to the public through a People’s Tribunal.

The Bengaluru event at Freedom Park features CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and actor-activist Prakash Raj. Organisers say citizens from across Karnataka who believe they were affected by SIR will share their experiences.

The tribunal is designed to focus attention on alleged wrongful deletions from electoral rolls. Organisers have argued that the voices of ordinary voters should be central to the debate over the revision process.

The event will be followed by a “chappal protest”, with organisers linking the demonstration to concerns about women’s safety. The combination of the tribunal and protest reflects the organisers’ effort to turn the SIR issue into a wider civil society campaign.

Meanwhile, the political confrontation in Delhi has become increasingly intense.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained during Wednesday’s Opposition protest after MPs attempted to proceed towards Jantar Mantar. The demonstration was part of a campaign demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Delhi Police later announced that three FIRs had been registered in connection with the protest. Police cited allegations including assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing, manhandling and misbehaviour.

The FIRs came shortly after another case involving Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi was registered over their alleged unauthorised entry into Akashvani Bhavan during Tuesday’s protest.

The Congress has strongly defended its leaders and the demonstrations. Rahul Gandhi has said he will continue the campaign despite the cases, while the party has accused the government of trying to discourage Opposition protests.

The confrontation has also generated political divisions within the wider Opposition alliance, with reports indicating that some allies were not informed in advance about the decision to move into Akashvani Bhavan.

At the heart of the dispute is the question of how electoral rolls are revised and how citizens can ensure that their names remain on the voter list.

Opposition leaders say alleged exclusions require greater scrutiny. Election authorities, meanwhile, have mechanisms for claims and objections and maintain that electoral roll revision is carried out through established procedures.

The Bengaluru tribunal represents a different form of political pressure. Instead of parliamentary speeches or street demonstrations alone, organisers are seeking to collect personal accounts from citizens.

The coming days could therefore see the SIR controversy expand further, with demonstrations, legal cases and public hearings all becoming part of the national debate.