'Now I have to prove I am myself just to claim my basic rights'

Bengaluru

“We have already witnessed the consequences of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, where over 68 lakh people were removed from the voters’ list. We are now facing a dangerous slide toward fascism. in a democracy, it is the people who are meant to choose their government, but here, the government and the ruling party are trying to choose their people. We will not allow that to happen in Karnataka”, said Clifton D’Rozario, State Secretary of CPI(ML) Liberation, speaking to News Trail about the resistance to SIR from hundreds of activists and leaders across the state.

The Election Commission has announced the implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka, a move that has triggered widespread opposition from various sections of society. On Friday, representatives from civil society organisations, political parties, trade unions, women’s rights groups, student unions, writers, independent activists, and concerned citizens gathered at the Legislators Home in Bengaluru for a round table discussion on the implications of SIR.

The participants unanimously decided to oppose the measure through a state-wide campaign titled ‘My Vote, My Right’. Clifton added, “As part of the campaign, we will meet the Election Commission on Monday to demand that they withdraw this decision. The Commission has not consulted a single civil society organisation before implementing SIR, which affects people’s democratic rights”.

Vinay Sreenivasa of Bahutva Karnataka criticised the SIR, stating, “Its framework mirrors the logic of the NRC. Previously, it was the Election Commission’s responsibility to prove a voter ineligible. Now, under the proposed SIR, citizens must prove their eligibility, making marginalized communities vulnerable to exclusion and harassment”. Adding to the concern, the voter ID card issued by the Election Commission itself is not considered a valid document under the SIR process.

Many participants compared SIR to a disguised version of the CAA-NRC exercise, warning that it could lead to mass disenfranchisement. Clause 5(b) of the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Karnataka 2025 booklet states that “Electoral Registration Officers will refer cases of suspected foreign nationals to the competent authority under the Citizenship Act, 1955”, granting them sweeping powers to question citizenship status.

Activist Rizwan Khan from Ballari urged, “The Assembly must pass a resolution against SIR, similar to what Kerala did”. Yusuf Kanhi, Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, emphasized awareness, stating, “People must understand that this is not merely about voter lists but an attack on democracy itself”.