Parakala Prabhakar to participate in human chain protest against SIR in Hyderabad on 24 October

Economist Parakala Prabhakar will take part in a human chain protest at Tank Bund in Hyderabad on October 24 against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that the exercise undermines democracy and can lead to exclusion of eligible voters.

In a video message posted on social media platforms, Mr. Prabhakar said that people across the country are questioning the Election Commission of India (ECI) and voicing their disapproval of what he described as “robbers” in the panel and “a scam called SIR”. He also claimed that electoral mandates were stolen.

“People from all regions, all ages and all walks of life are raising their voices,” he said, arguing that Jantar Mantar, the site of several protests in New Delhi, represents not just a physical place but every street and lane where people are voicing dissent. “Every protesting, questioning and dissenting mind is a Jantar Mantar,” he said, adding that the authorities cannot suppress dissent everywhere.

Urging people to participate in the protest in Hyderabad, Mr. Prabhakar said that a human chain would begin on October 24 at 4 pm near the Makhdoom Mohiuddin statue at Tank Bund.

He urged the participants to demand the abolition of the SIR, the return of all eligible voters to the electoral roll, the repeal of the Act 2023 governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners and greater accountability and impartiality on the part of the ECI. “Let’s unite to restore democracy,” he said, asking participants to bring the national flag and banners to the protest.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 19:31 IST