Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has sought a detailed report into police action against protesters in Bengaluru, a day after several people were detained while attempting to march towards the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer’s office over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
Shivakumar said the right to peaceful protest must be upheld consistently and warned that accountability would follow if the report found unnecessary use of force. The protesters had demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged that police personnel manhandled demonstrators and photojournalists during the action.
“I have taken note of yesterday’s incident involving protesters and members of the media. 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,” Shivakumar said in a statement.
The Chief Minister said disagreement with the Election Commission, the state government or him personally did not remove anyone’s right to express dissent peacefully. He also referred to the need for consistent democratic standards, saying Karnataka should not apply “double standards” to public protest.
The development places Bengaluru’s protest-management system under review, with the government required to examine how police handled the march, the detention of protesters and the presence of journalists at the scene. The report sought by Shivakumar is expected to establish the circumstances that led to the police response and whether the force used was necessary.
Earlier, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge had ordered a review of the police response and instructed the force to ensure that peaceful demonstrations were not disrupted. In a post on X, Kharge said peaceful protest was a fundamental democratic right that had to be respected and protected.
Kharge also asked protesters to cooperate with the police and keep authorities informed to protect their own safety and the rights of others. He said the police’s responsibility extended beyond maintaining law and order to creating an environment in which citizens could express dissent freely, peacefully and without fear.
The government’s next steps are the review ordered by the Home Minister and the detailed report sought by the Chief Minister. Any action against officials will depend on the findings of that assessment.
