Karnataka chief minister and Congress legislators to march on Delhi over voter roll cuts

Speaking in Mysuru, Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar declared that he and every Congress MLA from the state will go to Delhi to contest the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that roughly one crore names were erased without any verification. He clarified that the party will organise its own protest and will not join larger rallies organized by other groups, emphasizing a limited turnout.

Shivakumar highlighted the impact on Dalits, minorities and backward classes, calling the deletions inhumane and anti-democratic. He also condemned recent measures such as internet shutdowns, detentions of arriving passengers and the arrest of elected officials, labeling them as embarrassing for the nation. The chief minister called on the Prime Minister to explain whether the country is operating under democratic norms or an emergency, and urged authorities to allow protesters to meet the Election Commission. While the Congress has not coordinated with other protest organisers, it will not obstruct their activities.