Prakash Raj Throws His Weight Behind Bengaluru’s “Chappal Protest”

Veteran actor‑activist Prakash Raj has confirmed he will be on the ground for the demonstration scheduled for 8 October at Freedom Park, Bengaluru. Organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the gathering is being promoted as a “Chappal Protest” that aims to highlight two urgent issues: the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls and the safety of women in public spaces.

People’s Tribunal on SIR at 10:30 a.m.

The day will kick off with a People’s Tribunal at 10:30 a.m., giving Karnataka voters who say their names were wrongly removed from the rolls a platform to tell their stories. CJP co‑convener Ashutosh Ranka, founder Abhijeet Dipke and spokesperson Saurav Das are slated to moderate, alongside youth group representatives and civil‑society voices.

Key complaints against the SIR exercise

  • Alleged arbitrary deletion of eligible voters during the roll‑revision.
  • Demand for the reinstatement of the pre‑SIR list and reversal of deletions.
  • Call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities.

The protesters stress that these allegations are based on personal testimonies and have not yet been independently verified.

Women’s safety takes centre stage

After the tribunal, the focus will shift to concerns about women’s security. The move follows reports from a group of women journalists in Delhi who say they faced mistreatment while covering protests against the Chief Election Commissioner. CJP has expressed solidarity with the journalists and demanded prompt 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 event is part of a wider CJP‑led movement opposing the SIR process. Similar rallies have taken place in other states, and another demonstration is planned for Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on 10 October. Organisers continue to press for transparent handling of voter‑roll updates, an end to the SIR mechanism, and the resignation of the chief election official.

The Election Commission maintains that the roll‑revision is intended to refresh voter records and ensure that every eligible citizen is captured. The Freedom Park gathering is expected to attract a diverse mix of voters, activists, youth collectives and civil‑society participants, all seeking a public forum for their concerns.