Mangaluru: Protest against SIR held under ‘Jantar Mantar’ banner

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 24, 2026: As part of the nationwide campaign titled ‘Reclaim Democracy, Protect the Rights of Eligible Voters’ against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a sit-in protest was held near the Clock Tower in Mangaluru on Friday under the banner of ‘Jantar Mantar’.

The protest was organised by the Save Democracy Movement, Dakshina Kannada district, an alliance of like-minded organisations and secular political parties.

Addressing the protesters, MLC Ivan D’Souza said it was unfortunate that High Court and Supreme Court judges, who are guardians of the Constitution, and Election Commission officials were allegedly bowing to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.

He said there was an urgent need for citizens to become guardians of the Constitution themselves and continue the struggle against SIR.

Introducing the programme, advocate Vinod Mascarenhas, convenor of the Save Democracy Movement, Dakshina Kannada district, said protesters were being prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar to demonstrate against SIR. As a result, the entire country was now turning into Jantar Mantar, he said.

Claiming that the names of more than 13 crore voters had been deleted from electoral rolls, Mascarenhas warned that the movement would continue against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whom he held responsible for the deletions.

Leaders and representatives of various political parties and organisations, including Ashraf Addoor, Athavulla Jokatte, Zafar Sadiq Faizy, Shahida Tasneem, Ansar Bajal, Mohan K.E., Santosh D’Souza, Ameen Ahsan, Ayesha Yasmeen, Zahid Malar and Beary Sahitya Academy president Umar U.H., participated in the protest.

Anwar Sadath Bajathur, co-convenor of the Save Democracy Movement, Dakshina Kannada district, welcomed the gathering.