BJP holds protest march in Shivamogga against opposition to SIR

BJP leaders and workers staged a protest in Shivamogga on Thursday under the slogan ‘Save Democracy, End Anarchy’. | Photo credit: SK Dinesh

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers took out a march in Shivamogga under the slogan ‘Save Democracy, End Anarchy’, targeting political parties opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

A large number of party workers led by senior officials including Labor and Employment Minister Shobha Karandlaj, former minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, CT Ravi, MLC and BY Raghavendra, MP Shivamogga, took part in the march which started at Ramanna Shreshthi Park.

Before the march, the leaders offered prayers at the Ganapathi temple. On the route, the participants raised slogans against Congress and other parties opposing SIR.

Addressing a rally at Allama Prabhu Park after the march, Ms. Karandlaje alleged that the Congress was creating unrest in the country by questioning SIR. “SIR has been done several times since 1952, even during the Congress rule. But the Congress is against the process only because it is being done during the BJP rule,” she said.

She said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised doubts about the functioning of the ECI, even though as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, he was part of the process of selecting the Chief Election Commissioner. She also alleged that the Congress was leading a global campaign to weaken democracy in India.

Mr. Ravi said the march was held to protect democracy. “Earlier, Congress targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP. Now it has turned to ECI. Constitutional bodies should remain strong to strengthen the democratic system,” he said.

Mr. Raghavendra described the protest as a rally to spread awareness about the Congress’ attempts to create unrest in the country.

Party district president NK Jagadish and legislators SN Channabasappa, Dhananjaya Sarji and others took part in the protest.

Published – 05 Nov 2026 19:05 IST