A Tiranga march organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Jagrita Karnataka and My Vote, My Right concluded at Bengaluru’s Quit India Memorial near Bannappa Park on Friday after police permitted the procession under strict conditions governing its route, slogans, banners and timing.
The march began at Town Hall and proceeded towards the Quit India Memorial near Mysuru Bank Circle on Kempegowda Road. Participants carried the national flag and a banner displaying the Preamble to the Constitution, while raising slogans including “Hum Honge Kamyab” and “Inquilab Zindabad”. The police said adequate security arrangements were in place.
The mobilisation was part of a nationwide campaign by the CJP over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The organisation is also demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Bengaluru Police had denied permission for the organisers’ original request to hold a protest march from Town Hall to Mysuru Bank Circle. The decision cited a Karnataka High Court order restricting protests, dharnas and rallies in Bengaluru to designated venues, including Freedom Park.
After the protest march was denied, the organisers sought permission for a peaceful Tiranga march. In a communication dated October 16, the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Halasuru Gate Sub-Division, permitted the procession from Town Hall to the Quit India Memorial between 5 pm and 6.30 pm.
The police communication stated that Town Hall, the route and the memorial were not designated venues for protests under the High Court order. Organisers were therefore instructed not to hold a protest or symbolic demonstration at any of those locations.
The permission also prohibited protest-related posters, placards and banners, as well as slogans that could disturb public order or target a political party, organisation or individual. The organisers were directed to ensure that pedestrian and vehicular movement was not obstructed and to conclude the march within the permitted time.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Akshaya M Hakay told The Indian Express that the police were “not denying anyone their freedom”. She said several peaceful marches, including drug-awareness campaigns, festivals and religious processions, had been held from Town Hall with adequate security arrangements. Hakay added that the CJP had sought permission for a peaceful Tiranga march after its request for a protest march was rejected.
CJP coordinator Subhashree said the organisers would maintain peace during the event. “Whatever we do will be peaceful. There will be no violence during our march. People will join us carrying the Tiranga, and this will be a peaceful march,” she told The Indian Express.
The restrictions have drawn scrutiny after protesters attempting to march towards the Chief Electoral Officer’s office near K R Circle were preventively detained on Monday. The protesters were detained after refusing to move to Freedom Park. Photojournalists covering the police action also alleged that they were manhandled.
On Tuesday, Home Minister Priyank Kharge and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar reiterated that peaceful protest was fundamental to democracy and said the police action would be reviewed. The latest march concluded under the conditions specified in the police permission, while the restrictions on demonstrations outside designated venues remain in force.
