Organisations protest against arrest of anti-SIR activists

Members of various organisations staging a protest against the SIR, in Dharwad on Sunday (October 11). | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Members of various organisations like AIDSO, AIDYO, AIKKMS and some labour unions and civil society organisations held a protest in Dharwad on Sunday (October 11) to condemn what they called “the repressive policies of the Union government and the police against anti-SIR activists in New Delhi”.Protestors were arrested before, during and after the Jantar Mantar protest, part of the nation-wide struggle demanding the cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.“We have information pointing out that over 7,000 protesters, students and youth, leaders of progressive organisations were arrested. We demand their immediate and unconditional release. The brutal action has proved that the BJP led-Union government has taken away the fundamental right of people to protest for their rights. However, such repression is bound to lead to innumerable protests across the country. The BJP government should understand that no democratic protest can be suppressed through repressive policies,’’ they said.AIDYO district president Bhavani Shankar Gouda said that the SIR process had deprived over 13 crore voters of their right to vote. “It is anti-people and absolutely undemocratic. The poor, wage labourers, farmers, and tribals are losing their right to vote. We demand that the government cancel the SIR immediately. No one can accept the undemocratic behaviour of the CEC, who is taking decisions unilaterally, ignoring the views of the other two Election Commissioners. We demand his resignation. Students, youth and common people across the country have taken to the streets to protest against the fascist government led by Narendra Modi. It is trying to suppress the people’s movement through the police and military force. But the people’s anger cannot be suppressed through this arrest,’’ he said.AIDSO district president Sindhu Kaudi said that the protest held at Freedom Park in Bengaluru was also suppressed by the Congress government through police force, and strongly condemned it. “The struggle of the students and youth will intensify,’’ she said.Deepa Dharwad of AIKKMS said that India is the land of fighters like Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and that pro-people struggles could not be suppressed. “The struggle will intensify until the demands are met,” she said.Leaders like Sadhik Rauf Khan, Umar Langoti, Shantesh Nandikolmath, Siddalinga Chippalakatti, Saimuddin Magalani and others were present. Published - October 11, 2026 07:00 pm IST