Chikkaballapur: Actor Prakash Raj did not deliver his scheduled speech at a DYFI convention in Bagepalli on Saturday, September 26, after officials reportedly imposed restrictions on his participation.
According to reports, Bagepalli taluk executive officer and SIR nodal officer Nagamani instructed the event organisers to ensure that Prakash Raj did not speak about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls or the Election Commission. The organisers were reportedly asked to submit a written undertaking regarding the restrictions.
Prakash Raj subsequently attended the programme to flag off a procession but left without addressing the gathering.
The reported restrictions prompted reactions from participants, who questioned why the actor was prevented from delivering his scheduled address.
Prakash Raj questions restrictions
Speaking to media persons in Chikkaballapur later, Prakash Raj criticised the reported restrictions and questioned their appropriateness in a democratic setting.
He said he believed the authorities were concerned that he would speak critically about the SIR process. He also said the undertaking obtained from the organisers had not been provided to him and questioned the need for such restrictions.
Prakash Raj said his visit was linked to his ongoing campaign concerning the revision of electoral rolls in Karnataka.
Earlier this week, the actor launched a 10-day campaign to document concerns raised by voters during the SIR exercise. He said information collected during the campaign would be submitted to the Karnataka government, followed by a press conference in Delhi.
SIR campaign
Prakash Raj has publicly criticised the SIR process and raised concerns about difficulties faced by voters during verification. He has also called for changes to the exercise and announced plans for further public action.
The Election Commission has defended its procedures in response to various concerns surrounding the SIR exercise. In a separate matter involving Prakash Raj, the poll authorities previously said he had been marked as having shifted from his registered address after verification and stated that he could apply to register at his current address.
The circumstances surrounding the restrictions at the Bagepalli event have now become part of the wider debate over the SIR process and public discussion surrounding the electoral-roll revision.
