The controversy over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has entered a new phase, with a People’s Tribunal in Bengaluru coinciding with fresh FIRs against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Delhi.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The developments underline the rapidly escalating political battle over the electoral roll revision process.
In Bengaluru, the Cockroach Janta Party organised a People’s Tribunal at Freedom Park. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and actor-activist Prakash Raj are participating in the programme, while people from across Karnataka who claim to have been affected by SIR are expected to share their experiences.
The organisers say their objective is to document alleged wrongful deletions and draw attention to concerns among voters.
Rathee confirmed his participation through social media, while Prakash Raj appealed to citizens to join the mobilisation. The actor has described the campaign as part of a broader effort to protect democratic rights.
The tribunal is followed by a “chappal protest”. Organisers have said the protest will express solidarity with women and highlight issues concerning women’s safety.
The Bengaluru event comes as Delhi experiences another round of political confrontation.
Opposition MPs have been protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities linked to electoral roll revision. On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among the leaders detained during the demonstration.
Delhi Police said three FIRs were registered following the protest. The cases relate to allegations of assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing, manhandling and misbehaviour. Police said the names of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi appeared in the details of the FIRs.
The fresh cases add to an already growing legal dispute. On Tuesday, police had registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other INDIA bloc MPs over their alleged unauthorised entry into Akashvani Bhavan during an earlier protest.
Rahul Gandhi has responded aggressively to the police action, saying FIRs would not stop his campaign. His remarks reflect the Congress leadership’s decision to continue confronting the Election Commission over its handling of electoral rolls.
Congress has also declared October 8 a “Black Day” and called for further protests following the detention of its leaders.
The Election Commission issue has therefore developed into a wider political confrontation involving legal cases, street demonstrations and civil society mobilisation.
For critics of SIR, the primary concern is whether eligible voters could be excluded from electoral rolls. For authorities, the revision process is part of maintaining accurate electoral records, with established mechanisms available for corrections and objections.
The People’s Tribunal in Bengaluru is attempting to put individual voter experiences at the centre of that debate. The fresh FIRs in Delhi, meanwhile, have shifted part of the controversy towards questions of protest rules, police action and political accountability.
With demonstrations continuing in different parts of the country, the SIR issue is likely to remain a major political flashpoint. The competing claims will now face increasing scrutiny as political parties, election authorities, activists and voters continue to debate the integrity and inclusiveness of India’s electoral rolls.
