Bengaluru, 13 Oct

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday came down heavily on the police action against protesters a day earlier, saying, “we cannot demand the right to protest in Delhi and deny it in Bengaluru. There will be no double standards”.

Over 100 protesters who were attempting to march to the State Chief Electoral Officer’s office on Monday were detained, with many allegedly “manhandled” by the cops. Photojournalists alleged that their cameras were confiscated as police scuffled with demonstrators at KR Circle. Police stated that the protesters had not sought permission for their march.

Ironically, it came as the INDIA bloc was marching in New Delhi on the very same issue, days after thousands of people were detained ahead their planned protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, something the Congress said it was completely against.

“I have taken note of yesterday’s incident involving protesters and members of the media,” Shivakumar stated on X. “I have sought a full report on the circumstances that led to the police action. If there has been any unnecessary use of force or excess, accountability will follow. Let me be clear: disagreement with the Election Commission, disagreement with my government, or disagreement with me personally does not diminish anyone’s right to peacefully express it.”

“Karnataka must hold itself to the democratic standards that we expect from the rest of the country,” he added.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge had said the Bengaluru Police’s conduct would be reviewed.

“I have issued instructions to the police to ensure that no peaceful demonstration is disrupted," he stated on X.

"The police are here to protect your rights, not to stand in the way of your voice. Our responsibility is not merely to maintain law and order, but to create an environment where every citizen can express dissent freely, peacefully and without fear."

He stressed that peaceful dissent was a democratic right, not a threat to law and order, and that the police had a duty to protect it.

Neither mentioned the possibility of changing or increasing the number of venues for protests.

-Salar News