Anti-SIR protests to resume on November 26; who are participating
What's the story
A coalition of civil society activists, Left trade unions, farmers, and student groups will resume anti-special intensive revision (SIR) protests on November 26, the 77th anniversary of India's Constitution adoption. The group, called People Against SIR, announced its protest schedule at a news conference after a leadership meeting on Thursday.
March details
March from Mandir Marg to Jantar Mantar
The protest will start with a march from Mandir Marg to Jantar Mantar, covering a distance of about four kilometers.
"On November 26, we will march from Mandir Marg to Jantar Mantar (around four km apart) to reclaim the site of protest," P Krishnaprasad, finance secretary of the CPM-backed All India Kisan Sabha, told The Telegraph.
Campaign launch
Public meetings across India
The group plans to hold public meetings across India, where people affected by the SIR will present evidence of their experiences.
"After that, across India, we will hold public meetings in which people who have suffered because of the SIR will bring evidence of what they have faced," Krishnaprasad said.
Activist's statement
Concerns over changes to EPIC system
Transparency activist Anjali Bhardwaj also spoke at the news conference, raising concerns over changes to the Electors's Photo Identity Card (EPIC) system.
She said these changes could affect people's access to welfare schemes and resettlement processes.
"This is also important because all the facilities that people get—ration card, pension, scholarship—a lot of people have obtained those with their voter cards."
Actor's criticism
Actor Prakash Raj slams government
Actor Prakash Raj also slammed the government's response to the protests at the news conference.
He alleged that those who protested for democracy were arrested while the Home Minister held a march in Telangana talking about democracy.
"And he is spreading lies that three crore people who were there on the voter list were Bangladeshi infiltrators," Raj said.
"The total population of Bangladesh is 17 crore plus. Has it reduced by 3 crore?" he asked.
Protest call
Massive demonstrations across India on November 26
The group also plans to observe Human Rights Day on December 10 by turning every street into a protest site.
"Reclaim Democracy, between November 26 and December 20 by holding public meetings, rallies; auditing of voters lists will be conducted throughout the country," their statement read.
"Hold booth-level meetings and adopt resolutions on December 20 urging the President of India to scrap SIR and restore every citizen's right to vote before any further elections are announced."