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

Renowned 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 marketed as a “Chappal Protest” aimed at two urgent issues: the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the protection of women in public arenas.

People’s Tribunal on SIR – 10:30 a.m.

The day will kick off with a People’s Tribunal at 10:30 a.m., providing a platform for Karnataka voters who allege that their names were wrongly erased from the rolls. CJP co‑convener Ashutosh Ranka, founder Abhijeet Dipke and spokesperson Saurav Das will moderate the session together with representatives from youth collectives and civil‑society groups.

Key complaints against the SIR drive

  • Claims of unjust removal of eligible voters during the roll‑revision process.
  • Demand that the deletions be undone and the pre‑SIR rolls be restored.
  • Call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged procedural lapses.

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

Women’s safety moves to the forefront

After the tribunal, the focus will shift to the safety of women. The move follows accusations from a group of women journalists in Delhi who said they were mishandled while covering protests against the Chief Election Commissioner. CJP has expressed solidarity with the journalists and demanded swift remedial action. Delhi Police, however, has disputed the claims of physical handling and says the matter is under investigation.

Broader campaign and next steps

The Bengaluru rally is part of a wider CJP‑led movement opposing the SIR exercise. Parallel protests have already taken place in other states, and a follow‑up demonstration is slated for Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 10 October. Organizers continue to press for 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 exercise is intended to refresh 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 groups and civil‑society members, all seeking a public forum for their concerns.