CJP plans 'Chappal protest' in Bengaluru after tribunal on voter roll revisions
CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka announced a protest at Freedom Park on Oct 8, following a People’s Tribunal on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, with actor Prakash Raj joining.
Ashutosh Ranka, co-convener of the CJP, revealed plans for a “Chappal protest” at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on Thursday, Oct 8, after a People’s Tribunal addressing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The tribunal will give a platform to Kannadigas who claim they were unjustly removed from voter lists. The protest aims to show solidarity with women and to pressure authorities to scrap the deletions and keep the pre-SIR rolls.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, spokesperson Saurav Das, and representatives of various youth and civil-society organisations are expected to take part, alongside actor Prakash Raj, who urged citizens to attend. Organisers also demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged electoral irregularities. The event reflects broader concerns about the integrity of the voting process in Karnataka.
Why it matters
It underscores public resistance to changes in voter rolls that could undermine democratic participation in Karnataka.
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Election Commission denies internal dissent, says all decisions were unanimous
- Sep 26 The Election Commission announced that Booth Level Officers will visit voters flagged in the SIR to collect supporting documents, with online hearings and additional help desks to be established.
- Sep 27 Opposition parties announced nationwide rallies and a parliamentary motion to force the CEC’s resignation following the removal of over 130 million voter names.
- Oct 2 The Cockroach Janata Party and a coalition of student activists will protest in Mumbai and New Delhi, calling for Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down over disputed voter-list changes.
- Oct 2 The Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition questioning the Election Commission’s decision‑making next week.
- Oct 3 Delhi police lodged three FIRs following a protest at Jantar Mantar calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged voter roll issues.
- Oct 4 The Supreme Court will hear petitions on Oct 5 seeking the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid a dispute over the special intensive revision exercise.
- Oct 5 Delhi police deployed roughly 5,000 officers and paramilitary units ahead of two anti‑CEC marches.
- Oct 5 CJP members began a sit‑in demanding an FIR against ACP Vivek Bhagat after police said the case is under Crime Branch inquiry.
- Oct 5 The court issued a notice to the Election Commission and the Centre after refusing to suspend the chief election commissioner.
- Oct 6 Opposition MPs including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were briefly detained during a protest march toward the Election Commission.
- Oct 6 When police barred the INDIA bloc march to the Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka redirected the demonstration to the Akashvani Bhavan building.
- Oct 7 Cockroach Janta Party filed a formal notice with Delhi police about an Oct 10 Jantar Mantar protest demanding the CEC’s resignation.
- Oct 7 Police detained Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and other lawmakers during the protest and released them later that evening.
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