Opposition protests in India against voter list revision, BJP alleges chaos

Opposition parties and civil society groups in India are continuing protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being carried out by the Election Commission.

On Thursday, civil society groups and the Cockroach Janata Party organized a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. Prominent YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, actor Prakash Raj, and Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Depke took part in the protest.

Rathee said he had come to India not to bring about a change of government but to oppose the SIR, accusing the Election Commission of failing to show transparency and accountability in the revision process. Protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Actor Prakash Raj, demanding that the SIR be scrapped, said the issue was not limited to removing names but was tied to citizens' dignity and rights.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, however, accused opposition leader Rahul Gandhi of trying to spread chaos in the country in the name of protests and sit-ins. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari told a press conference that trying to create an atmosphere on the streets showed the opposition's own weak stance. The BJP said such activities were increasing public distrust of the Congress.