Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that the state government is committed to protecting the voting rights of every citizen. He made the remarks at a press gathering near Kuppanna Park in Mysuru, ahead of a Congress demonstration scheduled for October 12 in Delhi.
Shivakumar said the right of every person to vote stands as a cornerstone of democratic life, and that every citizen holds an unqualified claim to that right, one that he argued should not be placed under any form of jeopardy. He raised concerns about what he described as efforts to erode voting rights, and said people across India are growing more alert to the threat such moves pose to democratic institutions.
Voting rights, he argued, form the bedrock on which democratic participation depends, making their protection a matter of significant concern. He framed the defence of voting rights as a cause extending beyond both the Congress party and the Karnataka government.
Pointing to Congress's role in India's independence movement and the construction of its democratic institutions, Shivakumar put forward the party's position that safeguarding every citizen's right to vote remained an obligation rooted in that founding legacy.
In his public address, Shivakumar urged those holding positions of influence to remain vigilant over what he described as the four pillars of democratic governance — the legislature, the executive, the judiciary, and the press. He voiced opposition to travel restrictions recently imposed on those attempting to reach Delhi, arguing that such measures undermine democratic participation, and said that democracy ought to expand the rights of citizens rather than curtail their freedom of movement. He described the constraints in place as falling outside what he considered workable or acceptable.
Ahead of the planned demonstration, Shivakumar indicated that party figures spanning the senior leadership, ministerial ranks, Members of Parliament, and Members of the Legislative Assembly would gather in New Delhi. He confirmed his own attendance at the demonstration, with party members presenting a united position on the matter of safeguarding electoral access.
During his address, Shivakumar invoked Goddess Chamundi and referenced words of encouragement he said he had received from spiritual leaders. Drawing on a statement from the seer of Koppal Gavimath, he expressed confidence that the cause would be sustained by the strength his community draws from its convictions.
Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi issued a call for youth, opposition parties, and civil society groups to participate in a march to the Supreme Court on October 12. Addressing citizens directly, Gandhi put forward the phrase "Daro mat" — meaning "Do not fear" — as a call to set aside apprehension.
