Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
Karnataka minister to review police action against Bengaluru protesters
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said he will review police action against protesters detained in Bengaluru on Monday.
The protesters were stopped near KR Circle as they planned to march to the chief electoral officer’s office.
They were calling for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls to be scrapped and the chief election commissioner to resign.
Protesters and journalists said police used force, while police said the gathering lacked permission and protesters were taken into preventive custody before being released.
Kharge said peaceful protest is a democratic right and instructed police to ensure peaceful demonstrations are not disrupted.
He also asked protesters to cooperate with police and notify authorities in advance.
The review will examine how police handled the detentions, though no further details or timeline were given.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said he would review Bengaluru police’s handling of protesters detained during a demonstration against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
He said he had instructed police not to disrupt peaceful demonstrations and that the right to peaceful protest must be protected.
Dozens of protesters were detained near KR Circle on Monday as they sought to march to the chief electoral officer’s office.
An activist group and journalists reported that police used force against protesters and journalists, while a police official said officers acted with restraint.
- Who
- Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said he would review the police action. Dozens of protesters were detained.
- What
- Police detained protesters seeking to march against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Kharge said he would review the police response.
- When
- The detentions took place on Monday; Kharge made his statement on Tuesday.
- Where
- Near KR Circle in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- Protesters were demanding that the electoral-roll revision be scrapped and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
Bengaluru police
Protesters and activist group My Vote, My Right
Police conduct
Bengaluru police
DCP Akshay M Hakay said police acted with restraint and sensitivity.
Protesters and activist group My Vote, My Right
My Vote, My Right said protesters were pushed, dragged and forcibly taken away, and that police beat some young protesters.
Reason for detentions
Bengaluru police
Hakay said protesters assembled without permission or prior notice and were taken into preventive custody after they did not move to Freedom Park.
Protesters and activist group My Vote, My Right
The group said police began detaining protesters before they could start their march.
Treatment of journalists
Bengaluru police
Hakay described friction between police and journalists as unintentional and occurring in straining circumstances.
Protesters and activist group My Vote, My Right
The group said a photojournalist was beaten by four police personnel and three other journalists were manhandled.
Police detained protesters near KR Circle as they sought to march to the chief electoral officer’s office.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar asked Bengaluru’s police commissioner to protect the right to peaceful protest.
Home Minister Priyank Kharge said he would review police handling of the protest and had instructed police not to disrupt peaceful demonstrations.
- Minister
- Priyank Kharge, Karnataka home minister
- Protest location
- Near KR Circle, Bengaluru
- Detentions
- Dozens of protesters, including students, lawyers, activists, academics and senior citizens
- Protest demands
- Scrap the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign
- Police account
- Protesters were taken into preventive custody after assembling without permission or prior notice
What people are saying
The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy. It must be respected, protected and never suppressed
I have issued instructions to the police to ensure that no peaceful demonstration is disrupted
completely unintentional
straining circumstances
Sources
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