Ullal: A massive Tiranga Yatra and protest rally were held at K C Road Junction in Ullal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district on Friday, October 30, opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Organised by the Samyukta Nagarika Vedike, Ullal, the protest aimed to defend democracy, uphold the Constitution and safeguard democratic values. Hundreds of participants carrying the national flag joined the rally, expressing their opposition to the ongoing electoral roll revision exercise and raising concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission.
Activist and singer Neha Singh Rathore attended the programme as the chief guest. Through her protest songs, she voiced strong criticism of the Union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding a cultural dimension to the demonstration.
Hundreds join Tiranga Yatra in Ullal
The protest began with a Tiranga rally in which hundreds of people carrying the national flag marched through the area before gathering at K C Road Junction.
The national flag became the central symbol of the demonstration, with participants using the rally to highlight their concerns about democratic institutions, electoral processes and constitutional safeguards.
Leaders and activists representing various political, religious, cultural and civil society organisations took part in the programme. Their participation reflected the involvement of different sections of society in the protest organised by the Samyukta Nagarika Vedike.
The gathering brought together individuals and representatives of organisations who expressed opposition to the SIR exercise and called for greater accountability in the functioning of the Election Commission.
Neha Singh Rathore voices criticism through protest songs
Activist and singer Neha Singh Rathore was the chief guest at the protest. Known for using music and folk-style performances to raise social and political issues, she expressed criticism of the Union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi through her protest songs.
Her participation drew attention to the role of cultural expression in public demonstrations, with music serving as a medium to communicate political concerns and mobilise public opinion.
The programme combined the Tiranga rally with speeches, protest expressions and demands concerning the electoral process and democratic accountability.
Protesters oppose SIR and demand CEC’s resignation
A major focus of the demonstration was opposition to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The protesters raised objections to the exercise and questioned the functioning of the Election Commission.
They also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, making accountability at the highest level of the country’s electoral administration a central issue of the agitation.
The organisers said the protest was intended to defend democratic principles and protect constitutional values. Participants warned that the agitation would continue until their concerns were addressed.
The rally reflected the protesters’ position that electoral processes and democratic institutions must function in a manner that safeguards constitutional principles and public confidence.
Samyukta Nagarika Vedike calls for continued democratic action
Through the demonstration, the Samyukta Nagarika Vedike sought to bring together people from different backgrounds under a common platform to express their concerns about the SIR exercise.
The participation of political, religious, cultural and civil society representatives gave the programme a broad public character. The use of the national flag during the march also underscored the organisers’ emphasis on constitutional values and democratic rights.
The protesters reiterated that their campaign would continue, warning of further agitation to protect democracy and constitutional principles.
The Tiranga Yatra at Ullal thus became a platform for expressing opposition to the electoral roll revision exercise, demanding accountability from the Election Commission and calling for the protection of democratic institutions.