2026 Bengaluru Freedom Park protests
Protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party in Bengaluru targeting the Election Commission
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The 2026 Bengaluru Freedom Park protests took place on 8 October 2026 at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India as part of the larger 2026 anti-CEC protests. Organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) alongside prominent public figures, actors, and digital commentators, the demonstration featured a "People's Tribunal" and a public "chappal protest" targeting the Election Commission of India and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the 2026 Indian electoral controversy, regarding disputes regarding voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protestors demanded the scrapping of the SIR process, arguing that it disenfranchised voters and lacked structural transparency, and the resignation of Kumar.
- Complete withdrawal and scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process
- Resignation and accountability of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Protection of voting rights against mass deletions
| 2026 Bengaluru Freedom Park protests | |||||
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| Part of 2026 anti-CEC protests | |||||
| Date | 8 October 2026 | ||||
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| Caused by | 2026 Indian electoral controversy | ||||
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| Methods | Demonstrations, "People's Tribunal", public speeches, "chappal protest" | ||||
| Result | Large public turnout with heavy police deployment and fortified barricades | ||||
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| Lead figures | |||||
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| Casualties | |||||
| Injuries | Peaceful assembly under heavy police surveillance | ||||
Following earlier demonstrations at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, the CJP expanded its campaign to Bengaluru as part of a multi-city mobilization drive. The event focused heavily on listening to citizens who claimed their names were wrongfully omitted from electoral databases during the SIR exercise.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-conveners Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, alongside actor-activist Prakash Raj, digital commentator Dhruv Rathee and civil society representatives held a People's Tribunal, addressing a large gathering at Freedom Park under tight security by Bengaluru Police. Leaders raised slogans and criticized election authorities over transparency gaps, urging citizens to safeguard voting rights.
References
- "Prakash Raj, Dhruv Rathee lead Bengaluru CJP protest, demand scrapping of SIR, CEC's resignation". The New Indian Express. 8 October 2026. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
- "CJP protest highlights: Bengaluru protest ends; Oct 10 Jantar Mantar stir gets BKU support". Hindustan Times. 8 October 2026. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
- "CJP Bengaluru 'Chappal protest' today: After Delhi and Mumbai, Cockroach Janta Party turns to IT city; check timing, venue, demands and other details". The Economic Times. 7 October 2026. Retrieved 9 October 2026.