SIR Row Spreads From Delhi to Bengaluru as Activists Demand Greater Electoral Transparency

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BENGALURU: The controversy over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is rapidly expanding across India, with political protests in Delhi coinciding with a major public mobilisation in Bengaluru.

In Bengaluru, a People’s Tribunal was organised at Freedom Park on Thursday to hear complaints from people who claim they were affected by the SIR exercise. The event brought together CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and actor-activist Prakash Raj.

The organisers said people from across Karnataka would participate and share their experiences. Their central concern is the alleged removal of eligible voters from electoral rolls.

The tribunal has been positioned as a public forum rather than a formal judicial proceeding. Its purpose is to collect testimonies and bring public attention to claims of voter exclusion. Organisers argue that citizens whose names have allegedly disappeared from electoral lists should have their grievances heard and examined.

Rathee confirmed that he would participate in the event, while Prakash Raj urged citizens to join the campaign.

The Bengaluru programme also includes a “chappal protest”, organised after the tribunal. CJP leaders said the protest would express solidarity with women and highlight concerns around women’s safety.

Meanwhile, Delhi has witnessed a separate but connected political confrontation. INDIA bloc MPs have been demonstrating against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities surrounding electoral roll revision.

The protests turned tense on Wednesday when Opposition MPs attempted to move towards Jantar Mantar. Police stopped the protesters and detained several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Delhi Police subsequently registered three additional FIRs in connection with the protest. Police said the cases involved allegations of assault and obstruction involving police personnel, along with claims of pushing, manhandling and misbehaviour. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi’s names appeared in the details of the cases registered so far.

The legal action has added another dimension to the political conflict. Congress leaders argue that their protests are necessary to raise questions about the integrity of electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi has publicly said that FIRs would not make him back down from the campaign.

The Election Commission and authorities have maintained that electoral roll revision follows established procedures. The controversy, however, has continued because Opposition parties argue that even administrative errors can have serious consequences if eligible citizens are excluded.

The Bengaluru tribunal is therefore being presented by organisers as a citizens’ forum to document such concerns.

The simultaneous developments in the two cities highlight the scale of the current political dispute. Delhi has become the centre of confrontation between Opposition MPs and police, while Bengaluru is emerging as a hub for civil society activism around electoral rights.

The SIR debate is now increasingly touching upon questions of voter inclusion, institutional credibility and political accountability.

Whether the protests result in changes to the electoral process remains uncertain. What is clear is that the issue has moved beyond routine political criticism and become a major national debate involving lawmakers, activists, public personalities and citizens.

Journalist Details

Jitendra Kumar

Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.