Bengaluru Protests Against SIR and Chief Election Commissioner Resignation
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India · Oct 12, 2026
Is it still on?
NOIt was a one-day action on Oct 12.
Last report · checked
Summary in three lines
- Why they are protesting
- Protesters opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What they want
- Scrap the SIR process, restore original electoral rolls, and secure the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What changed
- Oct 13: Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge ordered a review of the police action and detentions.
Both sides
What protesters want
- Scrap the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Restore original electoral rolls as of January 2025
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Revocation of the 2021 order restricting protests to Freedom Park
Organised by: My Vote, My Right Campaign, All India Students' Association
What authorities say
Bengaluru police detained participants for marching without permission outside designated areas, stating they acted with restraint. Deputy Commissioner of Police Akshay M Hakay called friction with media unintentional. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge ordered a review of the police action.12345
The numbers
Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.
The full story
Demonstrators, including students, lawyers, activists, and senior citizens, gathered in Bengaluru to march toward the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer's office. Organised under the My Vote, My Right Campaign, participants opposed the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities. Bengaluru police intercepted the march near KR Circle, detained participants, and took them away in buses, citing violations of court orders restricting protests to Freedom Park. Organizers and participants alleged that police manhandled demonstrators, used excessive force, and mistreated journalists and women during the crackdown. Deputy Commissioner of Police Akshay M Hakay stated that police acted with restraint and handled the situation in straining circumstances. Subsequently, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge announced that the police handling of the protest would be reviewed and issued instructions to ensure peaceful demonstrations are not disrupted.
Timeline
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge ordered a review of the police handling of the demonstration.23
Protesters attempted to march to the Karnataka CEO office and were detained by police near KR Circle.12345
At least 50 students belonging to AISA were detained at Freedom Park ahead of a planned march.1
Related protests
Protesters and journalists detained during Bengaluru march against electoral roll revision
Bengaluru, India · since Oct 8
Protesters oppose the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleging arbitrary voter deletions and lack of transparency.
- elections
- governance
6 sources · 95% sure ·
Civil society groups and CJP hold tribunal and protest in Bengaluru over voter deletions
Bengaluru, India · Oct 8
Protesters are angry over alleged mass deletions from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision.
- elections
- governance
- gender
9 sources · 95% sure ·
Karnataka Congress protests in Bengaluru over opposition leaders detention
Bengaluru, India · Oct 8
Protesting the detention and alleged manhandling of opposition leaders by police in Delhi.
- elections
- governance
- anti-government
3 sources · 80% sure ·
Karnataka CM and cabinet stage sit-in at state election office
Bengaluru, India · Oct 1
The CM alleges BJP agents filed fraudulent Form 7 applications to delete eligible voters during the roll revision.
- elections
- governance
5 sources · 95% sure ·