Actor Prakash Raj says government change in India will happen through the constitution, not like Nepal or Bangladesh

Actor and social activist Prakash Raj stated that any government change in India must happen through elections and constitutional methods rather than through violent upheavals like those seen in Nepal or Bangladesh. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and earlier contexts, Raj emphasized that India is backed by the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, and Bhagat Singh, giving citizens the right to vote, ask questions, and protest peacefully.

Protests and Police Action

Raj's remarks followed the detention of Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke in Delhi ahead of a planned tricolor march against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests target alleged irregularities in the voter list's Special Intensive Revision process. Police also briefly intervened in Thiruvananthapuram over loudspeaker permissions before allowing the event to continue. Raj criticized authorities for using force, detaining protesters illegally, and failing to engage in dialogue.

Political Appeal and Next Steps

Raj questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, asking why young citizens are being stopped from carrying the national flag. He urged opposition parties to raise these issues in Parliament during the winter session. The movement has reportedly gained backing from farmers, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, and civil society groups, with participants vowing to continue their peaceful political struggle up to the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Context

Special Intensive Revision exercises are periodic updates conducted by election authorities to clean up electoral rolls by verifying voter details. Peaceful public assemblies and debates over election administration are standard democratic mechanisms for civil society groups challenging institutional decisions in India.