Economist Parakala Prabhakar has confirmed his participation in a nationwide protest scheduled for October 23, 2026, targeting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Prabhakar will join a broad alliance of activists, including actor Prakash Raj, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, and AISA president Neha Bora, in a march organized by the 'People Against SIR' alliance.
The alliance, formed on October 14, comprises diverse groups representing students, farmers, Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities. They allege that the recent electoral roll revision unjustly excluded 13 crore eligible voters, particularly from vulnerable communities across India. The protest aims to demand the immediate scrapping of the SIR and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Call for Democracy's Restoration
Prabhakar, known for his critiques of government policies in his book 'The Crooked Timber of New India,' tweeted his support, stating, "Har gali mein Jantar Mantar! Friday, October 23, 2026. People's march to restore democracy. Let's rise to the challenge." This slogan, "Har haath mein Tiranga, Har gali mein Jantar Mantar" (The Tricolour in every hand, a Jantar Mantar in every street), calls for localized protests nationwide, especially after Delhi Police denotified Jantar Mantar as a primary protest site.
The People Against SIR alliance has extended an invitation to INDIA bloc parties, though their participation remains unconfirmed. Prakash Raj highlighted the broad support for the agitation, noting that the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and approximately 200 other organizations have joined the cause. "It is not just a political issue, it is the dignity of a voter, our right to vote, and that is where we are fighting," Raj affirmed, emphasizing the peaceful nature of the planned demonstrations.
Allegations Against Chief Election Commissioner
The campaign follows earlier protests by the INDIA bloc and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), sparked by reports suggesting that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had overridden 14 objections from fellow Election Commissioners over a ten-month period. Rahul Gandhi has linked these reports to his broader 'vote chori' (vote theft) campaign. The October 23 march seeks to sustain public agitation during a period when the INDIA bloc and CJP have paused their direct actions.
Prabhakar previously participated in a CJP protest in Bengaluru on October 8, alongside YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and Prakash Raj, where he voiced concerns over democratic institutions and issues like unemployment.