Bengaluru CJP Protest at Freedom Park on October 8, 2026, brought hundreds of people together to raise demands against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and was attended by actor Prakash Raj, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and other supporters. Protesters called for Kumar’s resignation and raised concerns about the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

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Protesters Gather at Freedom Park

Freedom Park in Bengaluru became the main location for the CJP demonstration, where protesters gathered despite it being a working day. The event was presented as a public platform to discuss concerns surrounding voter lists and the ongoing SIR process.

Several slogans were raised during the gathering, including “Error 404” and “Gyanesh, it’s done bro”. Protesters also carried placards and raised slogans related to voting rights and alleged irregularities in the electoral-roll revision process.

The protest comes as similar demonstrations are taking place in other parts of the country, including Delhi, where Congress and INDIA bloc leaders have been demanding the resignation of the CEC.

Prakash Raj and Dhruv Rathee Join Protest

Actor-activist Prakash Raj and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee were among the prominent figures who attended the Bengaluru event. Their presence attracted additional attention to the protest, which brought together activists, working professionals, students and other citizens.

Speakers at the event raised questions about transparency in the electoral-roll revision process. Some participants shared personal experiences about voter names being missing from electoral rolls and called for greater clarity in the process.

These claims were made by protesters and participants at the event and are part of the wider political dispute over the SIR exercise.

SIR Becomes the Main Issue

The Bengaluru CJP Protest is closely linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has been carrying out SIR-related work in several states and has also taken steps to address voters who may have been left out of updated rolls.

The ECI recently announced a special drive to identify eligible voters who were left out of electoral rolls and help them get their names included. It also announced measures involving Form 6 and a review of its ECINET digital platform.

The issue has become a major political point of disagreement, with opposition parties and activists questioning aspects of the revision process while the Election Commission continues its work under election laws and constitutional provisions.

Questions Over Form 6 and ECINET

One of the issues raised during the wider debate involves Form 6, which is used for applications related to inclusion of names in electoral rolls.

Reports have said that changes to Form 6 became a point of disagreement, while the Election Commission later announced that the existing Form 6 would continue to be used outside the SIR period. The Commission also ordered a review of ECINET, its digital platform for election-related information and services.

ECINET was launched by the Election Commission in January 2026 as a single digital platform for election-related services and information. The ECI said the platform was developed under the leadership of CEC Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

Allegations About Deleted Voter Names

Some protesters in Bengaluru alleged that voter names had been removed from electoral rolls during the SIR process. Participants called for an investigation into such cases and asked election authorities to ensure that eligible citizens are not excluded.

Individual allegations made during the protest have not been independently established by the demonstration itself. The Election Commission has separately announced measures to identify eligible voters who may have been left out and facilitate their re-enrolment.

The dispute therefore involves both political criticism and administrative questions about how voter lists are reviewed, updated and corrected.

Gyanesh Kumar Faces Growing Political Pressure

Gyanesh Kumar has faced increasing criticism from opposition parties and activist groups in recent weeks. The CJP has previously demanded his resignation and announced further protests, while Congress and other INDIA bloc parties have also organised demonstrations in Delhi.

Gyanesh Kumar became India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner on February 19, 2025. The Election Commission’s official records show that he previously served as an Election Commissioner from March 2024.

The current protests are focused on allegations concerning the SIR process and the functioning of the Election Commission. The Commission remains responsible for conducting elections and maintaining electoral rolls under India’s constitutional and legal framework.

Protests Spread Beyond Bengaluru

The Bengaluru demonstration is part of a wider series of protests taking place across India. The CJP has held demonstrations in Mumbai and other locations, while another protest has been planned in Delhi.

Congress-led INDIA bloc protests have also continued in the national capital, with several opposition leaders being detained during demonstrations. Security arrangements have been increased in Delhi as authorities prepare for further protests between October 8 and 12.

With protests continuing in Bengaluru, Delhi and other cities, the debate over electoral-roll revision, voter inclusion and the role of the Election Commission is expected to remain a major political issue in the coming days.