Cinema VinesActor Prakash Raj, known for his outspoken criticism of the BJP, announced on Tuesday that his name has been removed from the voter list of the Bangalore constituency amid the state’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The actor, who has a long history in the area – having grown up, studied, performed in theatre, and even stood as an MP candidate for the same seat in 2019 – said the deletion was part of a broader issue affecting “65 lakh voters” whose registration details have been altered or deleted during the SIR process.
In a video message posted to Instagram, Prakash Raj addressed his supporters with a mix of humor and defiance. He described the situation as a “nice joke” and declared, “Game on.” He also referenced the high number of electors in Bengaluru that have fallen into the ASDDO (Absent, Shifted, Duplicate, Dead and Others) category during the house‑to‑house enumeration, highlighting the city’s central role in the SIR exercise.
Earlier this month, the actor faced a non‑bailable warrant issued by a Bengaluru court in a case alleging that he held multiple voter ID cards – one each in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The complainant claimed that Prakash Raj’s possession of four IDs violated the Election Commission’s rule that permits only one voter ID per individual. Following the warrant, the actor secured conditional bail.
When questioned about the steps he would need to take to restore his voting rights, Prakash Raj mused, “Let me see what is the process I have to go through, kya kya kagaz dikhana padega (what all papers I have to show) to get back my voter ID,” echoing the sentiment of the 2019 CAA‑NRC protest poem “Hum Kaagaz Nahin Dikhayenge.” He concluded his message by urging his peers to use their influence to prevent “a few of the citizens the right to vote who may not elect you,” and signed off with a defiant “Game on.”
The incident underscores the broader challenges facing Karnataka’s electoral roll reforms, as Bengaluru’s voters face significant scrutiny during the SIR process. The actor’s experience, coupled with the legal scrutiny over alleged multiple voter IDs, highlights the complexities of maintaining accurate voter records in a rapidly changing demographic landscape.
