Published Oct 16, 2026 | 10:40 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 16, 2026 | 10:40 PM
Actor Prakash Raj addressing the demonstration at Manaveeyam Vidhi in Thiruvananthapuram. (Video grab)
Synopsis: Mayor VV Rajesh said he had asked the police to intervene and prevent the protest programme. The organisers confronted the police when they tried to seize the sound system. The police later backed off, and the programme went ahead as scheduled. Actor Prakash Raj, who addressed the gathering, taunted the Prime Minister and the Home Minister and dared them to send in the Army if they wished. He added that the ongoing nationwide agitation against the controversial SIR and CEC Gyanesh Kumar was being led by the youth, not political parties.
Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram saw a face-off between police and anti-SIR protesters on Friday, 16 October, after the city’s BJP-ruled municipal corporation demanded that law-and-order authorities prevent a planned demonstration.
The demonstration was part of the ongoing nationwide protest pushing for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Tension gripped the venue as police tried to seize the event’s hired acoustics system, reportedly at the city Corporation’s behest. Organisers questioned the move, prompting the police to abort the effort.
Addressing the gathering, national award-winning actor Prakash Raj launched a broadside at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying the agitation would continue despite attempts to suppress it.
“Mr Modi, send the Army if you wish—we will continue our protest,” Raj said, pointing out that the ongoing movement was youth-driven rather than led by political leaders.
The controversy erupted when police arrived at the venue before the event and allegedly tried to take possession of the sound equipment.
Police reportedly cited the lack of permission from the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Protesters blocked the officers, leading to a heated exchange, after which the police abandoned the attempt to seize the equipment.
The BJP-led Corporation had earlier written to the police seeking intervention to prevent the event.
Mayor VV Rajesh said he would seek an explanation from the police about the incident.
He confirmed that the organisers had not obtained the Corporation’s permission and that the Corporation had sent a letter to the police requesting intervention.
He said further action would be considered after clarifying what had transpired.
The BJP is ruling the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation with a wafer-thin majority after an independent councillor decided to back the saffron party.
The protest programme at Manaveeyam was organised by Collective for Democracy.
Raj accused Modi and Shah of acting out of fear and alleged that CEC Kumar was being protected because he was acting as the Prime Minister’s agent.
He demanded that the CEC be brought before the public and held accountable.
In an apparent reference to Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranga, the veteran actor alleged that those accused of violence against women were granted bail while young protesters were being jailed.
Referring to the detention of Abhijeet Dipike and Neha Bora, he said the treatment of young protesters reflected an attempt to silence dissent. AISA said in Delhi that its national president, Bora, was being kept alone in detention after authorities picked her up from New Delhi’s Mandi House.
“Can anyone stop a river? What stands before me is a river,” Raj said, describing the protest as a growing movement attracting attention beyond India.
He also mocked Modi’s childhood anecdote about catching a crocodile, saying the Prime Minister who once claimed such bravado was now afraid of “cockroaches”.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
