Published Oct 23, 2026 | 10:10 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 23, 2026 | 10:14 PM
The march eventually began at around 4.45 pm, after the protesters agreed to lower their placards.
Synopsis: More than 200 people took part in a ‘Tiranga March’ in Bengaluru on Friday, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the repeal of the CEC and Other ECs Act, 2023. Organised by People Against SIR, the march was delayed by about 40 minutes as protesters clashed with police over restrictions on placards and slogans.
More than 200 people gathered at Bengaluru’s historic Town Hall on Friday, 23 October, for a ‘Tiranga March’ from Town Hall to Freedom Park, demanding the sacking of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the repeal of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
The march, called by People Against SIR—an alliance of organisations representing students, youth, farmers, workers, women and marginalised communities—was the latest in a series of anti-SIR protests across the country.
In a statement, the alliance alleged that the electoral process had been compromised. It urged citizens to carry the Tricolour and called for “Jantar Mantars all over the country”.
The protesters nevertheless defied the police and raised slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Jai Bhim” and “Vote Chori, Gaddi Chodd”.
The march was scheduled to begin at 4 pm but was delayed by about 40 minutes as protesters squared off with police over restrictions. Police took issue with participants displaying protest placards targeting Kumar and the SIR, as well as raising political slogans.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Akshay M told demonstrators to abide by the conditions and maintained that the organisers had sought permission for a march, not a protest. Freedom Park is Bengaluru’s “designated venue” for protests.
“The permission for the march is conditional. The organisers sought permission for a march carrying the Tricolour and constitutional placards, not for a protest. If the High Court’s order is violated, we may have to follow its directives,” he said.
A police officer told South First that more than 200 personnel had been deployed to the march in three buses.
Amanpreet Singh of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) said the police restrictions violated Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peacefully.
“Why can’t we say ‘Down with Gyanesh Kumar’ or chant slogans against Modi or the SIR? Why should this be allowed only within Freedom Park and not across Bengaluru?” he said.
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The march eventually began at around 4.45 pm, after the protesters agreed to lower their placards. It proceeded along KR Road and reached Freedom Park around 6 pm. The protesters nevertheless defied the police and raised slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Jai Bhim” and “Vote Chori, Gaddi Chodd”.
Manjunath N, a member of Samyukta Horata Karnataka, said the march had received widespread support from organisations across the country and Karnataka.
A police officer told South First that more than 200 personnel had been deployed to the march in three buses.
“The RSS and the BJP are protecting Gyanesh Kumar. He has completely undermined the Supreme Court’s judgment, its order and the constitutional framework,” he told South First.
“By fully protecting someone like Gyanesh Kumar, the RSS and the BJP are insulting the people of India. This has become a major stain on the world’s largest democracy. Gyanesh Kumar, who has brought such disrepute to democracy, must be removed from office.”
Anand, a corporate executive, said he was among nine people who fasted for five days at Freedom Park during the 2011 India Against Corruption movement.
“We protested here during April and May, and the crowds had grown to thousands by the end of April 2011. The Congress government and its leaders definitely handled protesters better. I travelled to Delhi more than a dozen times for the protests. This government is entirely different. The brutality used to disperse protesters and the sheer lack of accountability among its leaders are shocking,” he said.
“Today, it is about extortion through deletions. At least the Congress government engaged with protesters and sat down with them. This is much worse now. The Election Commission has been brought under the control of two people, and crores of names have been deleted.”
He contrasted the UPA government’s response to the Jan Lokpal Bill agitation with that of the incumbent NDA government to the anti-SIR protests.
“Kapil Sibal and Pranab Mukherjee came and met us during the Jan Lokpal Bill agitation. Today, two people—Amit Shah and Narendra Modi—are controlling 140 crore people,” he said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
