Karnataka CM Shivakumar and Congress MLAs to Protest in Delhi Over Electoral Roll Revision

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced on Sunday that he, alongside all Congress MLAs from the state, will travel to Delhi to stage a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Chief Minister alleged that approximately one crore voters have been removed from the state's electoral lists without proper verification, prompting the party to intervene to protect the democratic rights of citizens.Addressing reporters in Mysuru, Shivakumar stated that he had directed all Congress legislators to assemble in the national capital to participate in the demonstration. He clarified that the party intends to conduct its own campaign rather than joining protests organized by other groups, emphasizing that the focus remains on ensuring the integrity of the voting process. “Our hope is that the rights of every voter in the country should be protected and they should get the right to vote. We cannot delete the names of voters from the list,” he said.During his address, Shivakumar also expressed concern regarding the broader environment surrounding public demonstrations. He criticized the restrictions placed on protesters, including reported internet shutdowns and the detention of individuals upon their arrival. Drawing parallels to democratic values, he questioned whether such measures were appropriate and suggested that those in power should be prepared to address public grievances through dialogue rather than suppression.The Chief Minister remarked that the current atmosphere, marked by the detention of elected representatives, could negatively impact India’s international reputation as a leading democracy. He urged the government to allow protesters to express their views and to facilitate meetings with the Election Commission. Shivakumar emphasized that individuals in public life must be willing to accept criticism and acknowledge errors, arguing that the recent treatment of protesters reflects an environment of fear that is detrimental to the country's democratic fabric.