Bengaluru, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday urged members of minority communities to remain vigilant during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and ensure that their voting rights are protected.
Speaking after inaugurating Karnataka Parva 2026 at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said minority empowerment was an important part of the state’s overall development and alleged that there was an attempt to remove minority voters from electoral rolls during the revision exercise.
“Young people must remain vigilant. There is a conspiracy to remove voters belonging to minority communities from the electoral rolls during the SIR process, and we are fighting against it,” he alleged.
Urging people to safeguard their electoral rights, Shivakumar said, “Your right to vote is your right to life. Protect it.”
His remarks came amid an ongoing political dispute over the SIR exercise in Karnataka. Shivakumar has previously demanded that the current revision be scrapped and conducted afresh, while also seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission’s voter services portal provides facilities for voters to check their electoral-roll details and access services related to voter registration.
At Karnataka Parva, Shivakumar said the event’s theme was “unity in diversity and self-reliance through skills”. He highlighted the state’s diverse food traditions and cultural practices and said people from different minority communities had come together to demonstrate unity.
He said the government had continued programmes initiated during the Siddaramaiah government to provide protection and opportunities to minority communities.
According to Shivakumar, three members from minority communities had been appointed ministers, while another had been elected Chairman of the Legislative Council. He also said more than 25 people had been appointed chairpersons of various boards and corporations, while a prominent leader from Kalaburagi Dargah had been given responsibility in the Waqf Board.
The Chief Minister said the government had introduced programmes focused on education and skill development for minority youth.
Shivakumar also invited the Buddhist community of Bylakuppe and members of all communities across Karnataka to this year’s Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
Calling for greater economic participation by women, he said women should become entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities. He said the government was committed to strengthening women’s economic position through its guarantee schemes and claimed that Rs 1.20 lakh crore was being spent annually to provide economic support to different sections of society.
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