Around 50 members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and social activists were detained by Bengaluru Police on Saturday after gathering near Town Hall to protest against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protesters were taken in two buses to the City Armed Reserve grounds on Mysuru Road in Chamarajpet. They were detained there for some time before being released, according to the report. The police had deployed a heavy force and erected barricades around Town Hall to prevent the demonstration.
Additional police platoons remained stationed in the area after the gathering. Traffic movement around Town Hall was disrupted for some time because of the protest and the police deployment.
The action followed the rejection by SJ Park police of the organisers’ request to hold a demonstration outside VN Hall. In a notice dated October 17, the police cited Karnataka High Court guidelines that designate Freedom Park as the venue for protests and rallies in Bengaluru.
The notice prohibited demonstrations, rallies, placard displays and mock protests at locations other than Freedom Park, and warned of legal action against violations. Police said the organisers could hold the protest at Freedom Park after obtaining permission and complying with applicable legal requirements.
An AISA Karnataka member said the Bengaluru police had formally rejected the organisers’ intimation to protest at Town Hall. The organisers and activists criticised the police action and alleged that the state government was applying different standards to peaceful demonstrations.
The protesters also questioned the government’s position on demonstrations, referring to comments by the Home Minister in support of peaceful protests and condemnation of police action against protesters in Delhi. City-based social activist and advocate Narasimhamurthy criticised the action and said the agitation would continue until the protesters’ demands were met.
The police deployment placed Town Hall, a major public location in central Bengaluru, under additional security restrictions while authorities enforced the designated protest venue. The police notice said any demonstration at Freedom Park would require prior permission and compliance with the applicable legal requirements.
