Ponnam Prabhakar Condemns Restrictions on Delhi Protests, Demands Action Over Voter Roll Allegations

Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has strongly criticised the reported restrictions and arrests involving opposition leaders and students attempting to protest in Delhi over alleged irregularities in the electoral process. He said that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right and that preventing citizens from raising concerns about elections undermines democratic values. He called on the authorities to respond transparently to allegations that eligible voters’ names were being removed from electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process while questionable voter registrations were being allowed.

Prabhakar also raised concerns about reports of restrictions on access to Jantar Mantar, the detention of students and disruptions to public services. He sought clarification from the authorities regarding reports of restrictions affecting internet access, trains, buses and metro services. Referring to allegations involving opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, he said that complaints of excessive police action against political leaders and protesters required attention. He further called for an impartial investigation into alleged voter-list irregularities, urged constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission, the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation to function independently, and demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. These statements reflect the minister’s allegations and demands; the claims require assessment by the relevant authorities.