Ullal: Deleting eligible voters’ names under SIR threatens democracy, says UT Khader

Ullal: Deleting eligible voters’ names under SIR threatens democracy, says UT Khader

Mangalore Today News Network

Ullal, Oct 17, 2026: Health Minister for Dakshina Kannada UT Khader has said that cancelling voters’ names under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, particularly targeting ordinary citizens and Congress voters, is a threat to democracy and amounts to the murder of the Constitution.

He was speaking at the concluding programme of an overnight protest organised by the Mangaluru Assembly constituency Youth Congress Committee at the central bus stand in Thokkottu. The protest, which began on Friday night and concluded on Saturday morning, was held to protect democracy, oppose the SIR process and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Khader clarified that the Congress was not opposed to the SIR process itself and had supported it, as ensuring voting rights for all eligible citizens was part of the party’s principles and ideals. However, he said the party could not tolerate attempts to delete names even after the publication of the list of eligible voters.

He alleged that individuals were submitting around 100 applications at a time seeking the deletion of voters’ names, with the details of those to be removed already printed in a standard format.

“The Congress wants to know who is providing these individuals with other voters’ data and documents, where the information is being printed and who is behind it,” he said, questioning why the Election Commission was not revealing the details. He said the lack of transparency had raised suspicions about the Commission.

Khader also alleged that those questioning the process were being subjected to investigations and cases. “Who has given you the authority to delete the votes of people who are still alive?” he asked.

Questioning the Union government and the BJP over their continued support for the Chief Election Commissioner even after two members of the Election Commission reportedly expressed a lack of confidence in him, Khader said the movement against the SIR process would gain momentum across the country, beginning in the Ullal Assembly constituency.

Mangaluru Assembly constituency Youth Congress president Nawaz Naringana, Ullal City Mahila Congress president Amitha Ashwin Bandikote, NSUI president Shahil, Rauf C.M. of Deralakatte, Sattar C.M. of Deralakatte, Firoz Malar, Mansoor Manchila, Asif Manjanady, Razak Kukkaje, Kavya, U.T. Fareed, Rafiq Amblamogaru, Safwan Kerebail, Rashid Kodi, Riyaz Pavoor, Zakaria Malar, Yusuf Ullal, Razia Ibrahim, Suraiya Anjum and others were present.