My Vote, My Right: Anti-SIR protestors in Bangalore detained brutally by police!
Hundreds of people who wanted to meet the Chief Electoral Officer were brutally detained in Bangalore today. From students to senior citizens, the police dragged, pushed and forcefully detained the people who had not even begun to walk, to demand that the SIR must be scrapped and that Gyanesh Kumar must resign.
The protestors gathered to condemn the brutal repression by Delhi police against youth, activists, lawyers, journalists who have been demanding the scrapping of SIR and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. Thousands have been detained since even before the protest on October 10th began. Since then, Delhi police have inflicted severe sexual violence, custodial violence and unlawful detention on thousands more of people.
Since October 2025, My Vote, My Right have been demanding that SIR should be withdrawn, as it is designed for mass disenfranchisement. As it has already led to the deletion of around 13 crore names from voter rolls, and since the Indian Express investigation revealed how 2 of the 3 Election Commissioners have objected 14 times in 9 months, a nationwide democratic movement has been sustained by regular protests by left groups, youth and concerned citizens.
Concerned citizens in Bangalore including lawyers, students, activists and academics gathered to begin a peaceful march to the CEO’s office. However, before a single placard was held up, Bangalore City Police confiscated the placards and began detaining people.
A photo-journalist from a prominent newspaper was beaten brutally by four police officials, and three other journalists were manhandled. Police officers were also seen beating young people, pulling the clothes off women protestors and dragging people into buses.
We demand:
– Gyanesh Kumar must resign.
– SIR must be scrapped.