Bengaluru, Oct 13 (PTI) Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday ordered a review of the police response to a recent protest in Bengaluru and directed the force not to disrupt peaceful demonstrations.
His remarks came a day after several protesters were detained while attempting to march towards the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer’s office, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The protesters also accused the police of manhandling them and photojournalists during the crackdown.
In a post on X, Priyank said the right to peaceful protest was fundamental to democracy and must be respected and protected, not suppressed.
“The handling of the protesters yesterday (Monday) by Bengaluru Police will be reviewed…. I have issued instructions to the police to ensure that no peaceful demonstration is disrupted,” he said.
The minister appealed to protesters to cooperate with the police and keep the authorities informed to ensure their safety and protect the rights of others.
“The police are here to protect your rights, not to stand in the way of your voice,” he said.
“Our responsibility is not merely to maintain law and order, but to create an environment where every citizen can express dissent freely, peacefully and without fear,” Priyank said.
He stressed that peaceful dissent was a democratic right, not a threat to law and order, and that the police had a duty to protect it. PTI AMP SSK
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