Popular content creator Dhruv Rathee and actor Prakash Raj joined a public tribunal in Bengaluru on Thursday to protest India’s electoral roll revision process. Addressing a crowd at Freedom Park alongside Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, speakers criticized election authorities and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Bengaluru Freedom Park Public Tribunal Draws Crowd Against Voter Roll Revision
The demonstration centered on the voter list Special Intensive Revision process, an initiative that organizers and participants argue has generated widespread anxiety and distress among citizens. The gathering at Freedom Park brought together civil society representatives, youth organizations, and individuals from various districts across Karnataka who claim their names were improperly excluded from electoral rolls.
Actor and activist Prakash Raj organized support for the event through social media, initially teasing a special guest with a strong backbone before confirming Rathee’s participation. The gathering served as a public court where affected residents presented their experiences with the revision process.
Participants began gathering at Freedom Park from the morning hours of October 8, 2026, with the proceedings officially getting underway at around 10:30 in the morning. CJP leaders such as Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka arrived at the venue alongside other organizers as supporters filled the grounds.
Dhruv Rathee and Prakash Raj Direct Criticism at Election Authorities
Taking the microphone at the Freedom Park stage, Dhruv Rathee addressed speculation regarding his visit to the city. He rejected claims that his presence was intended to instigate a regime change, telling the audience that he financed his own travel to listen to local concerns.
I am clearly saying that my goal is not government change. Not Elon Musk gave me money, nor George Soros. With my own money I have come to Bengaluru to you.
Rathee pointed to electoral discrepancies in other regions, citing instances where voters were allegedly removed and later re-added to rolls, and contrasted those figures with sudden additions reported in Uttar Pradesh. Alongside Prakash Raj and Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, Rathee led attendees in chanting slogans demanding accountability from election officials.
Cockroach Janata Party Leads Calls for Chief Election Commissioner to Step Down
The protest featured sharp rhetoric directed at both federal leadership and electoral oversight. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke opened parts of the program by prompting participants to raise slogans targeting the administration and calling for resignations. Dipke started his speech by asking protestors to raise the slogan Narendra Modi Vote Chor
. Demonstrators filled the park with chants demanding the departure of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while organizers announced plans for a subsequent chappal protest following the public court session.
Prakash Raj characterized the revision initiative as an affront to democratic norms, arguing that the system subverts the fundamental principle that citizens choose their government rather than administrative bodies dictating eligibility.
