50 detained in Karnataka over anti-SIR protest at Town Hall

Approximately 50 members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and social activists were apprehended by law enforcement on Saturday following a gathering near Town Hall to voice opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and to call for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

These protesters were transported via two buses to the City Armed Reserve (CAR) grounds, situated on Mysuru Road in Chamarajpet, where they were held for a period before being released. The police had a significant presence, setting up barriers near Town Hall to deter the demonstration. Additional police units remained on duty in the vicinity to deter any subsequent protests.

This action transpired after the SJ Park police declined the organizers' request to permit a demonstration outside VN Hall, citing guidelines from the Karnataka High Court that restrict protests and rallies to Freedom Park. In a notice issued on October 17, the police cited the High Court order designating Freedom Park as the authorized location for protests and rallies, strictly prohibiting demonstrations, rallies, placard displays, and mock protests at all other sites and threatening legal repercussions for any breaches.

According to the police, the organizers could participate in the protest at Freedom Park upon obtaining the requisite permission and adhering to the relevant legal protocols. A representative from AISA Karnataka stated that the Bengaluru police had formally declined the organization's notification to protest at Town Hall. The activists and organizers expressed their dissatisfaction with the police's actions, alleging that the State government was applying disparate standards to peaceful protests.

They questioned the government's stance, arguing that while the Home Minister had voiced support for peaceful demonstrations and condemned police actions against protesters in Delhi, the police in Bengaluru had impeded their demonstration. Narasimhamurthy, a prominent social activist and lawyer, also criticized the police's actions, asserting that the agitation would persist until the protesters' demands were fulfilled.

The presence of traffic impediments around Town Hall ensued due to the assembly and the substantial deployment of police force.