Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, actor Prakash Raj announced a major statewide agitation in Karnataka. He stated that under the anti-SIR struggle, a large-scale Janta March will be organized across the entire state on October 23. Alongside this march, protests modeled after Jantar Mantar will be staged in various districts throughout the state. Prominent farmer and Dalit organizations have united to participate in and spearhead this upcoming movement.
Serious Allegations Against the Election Commission
Representatives of the farmer and Dalit organizations raised strong questions regarding the functioning of the Election Commission during the briefing. They asserted that the electoral body, which bears the responsibility of maintaining a transparent and fair democratic system, is now facing severe allegations of irregularities. The representatives directly accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of adopting a dictatorial attitude, making arbitrary and illegal decisions, and acting on the directives of the ruling party.
Restrictions on Protesters in Delhi
The speakers alleged that instead of listening to the peaceful and legitimate protests against SIR, the central government is attempting to crush dissent by force. They claimed that Delhi has been transformed into a police cantonment, with heavy restrictions and bans imposed even at Jantar Mantar, which serves as a historic site for demonstrations. According to the statements, individuals in power have deployed uniformed enforcers to attack young protesters. While those who mistreat female journalists and activists are reportedly protected and absolved of accountability, youths carrying the tricolor flag are being detained, jailed, and slapped with criminal cases in an effort to dismantle the movement entirely.
Decision to Take to the Streets
Representatives from the farming and Dalit communities emphasized that remaining silent spectators is no longer an option. Consequently, a collective decision has been made to take the struggle directly to the streets, resulting in the formal call for a statewide Janta March on October 23.
Prakash Raj Warns of Widespread Protests
Prakash Raj remarked that he had previously warned that suppressing the voices of the youth would only cause the protests to surpass the scale of Jantar Mantar. He noted that the very farmers who previously compelled PM Narendra Modi to repeal the farm bills are now joining this widespread agitation, and protests will be held across every single district on October 23.
Political Remarks and Future Elections
Prakash Raj further stated that while they desire regime change, the narrative being propagated by right-wing forces cannot succeed in a nation shaped by Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar. If dissenting voices continue to be suppressed through physical force and the deployment of security personnel, the public is watching and will eventually use their voting rights to alter the ruling authority of the BJP, beginning with Uttar Pradesh and culminating in the removal of the Modi government in the 2029 elections.
Demand for the Release of Saurabh and Ashutosh
Questioning the administration's priorities, Prakash Raj asked how an actor could be shot in such a manner, and argued that instead of beating innocent youths with lathis and jailing those who wave the tricolor, the government should focus on actual justice. Demanding the immediate release of Saurabh and Ashutosh, he questioned why the individual who threatened the judge has not been arrested despite authorities possessing their phone number, and asked whether Saurabh and Ashutosh were the ones who actually called and threatened the judge.
