A march led by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence over the E20 petrol issue was stopped by Delhi Police on Tuesday after authorities said permission had not been granted for the protest.
Kejriwal, accompanied by around 100 supporters, was attempting to deliver petitions signed by more than two lakh people opposing the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel.
“We are not terrorists. We want to meet PM Modi over the E20 fuel issue. Kindly inform him that we want to meet,” Kejriwal told police officers after the group was stopped en route.
AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bhardwaj said the delegation wanted to submit the petitions directly to the Prime Minister and seek a discussion on ethanol-blended petrol. He noted that Kejriwal had already written to the Prime Minister last month requesting an appointment but had not received a response.
Kejriwal has argued that the Centre’s push for 20 per cent ethanol blending is driven more by international trade commitments than environmental goals. He claims motorists are paying full fuel prices while facing reduced mileage and potential long-term engine damage without any price reduction for blended petrol.
The former Delhi chief minister has demanded that consumers be given the choice between regular petrol and E20 fuel at filling stations and that ethanol-blended petrol be sold at a lower price.
The BJP dismissed the protest, with MP Tarun Chugh calling it a “meaningless campaign” and defending the ethanol-blending programme as a scientifically planned initiative that benefits Indian farmers.
Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra also criticized the march, accusing Kejriwal of staging a political protest without permission and alleging that the AAP leader was attempting to portray himself as a victim after being stopped by police.
The protest comes weeks after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a march toward the Prime Minister’s residence over alleged police action against protesting students, where he was also stopped and briefly detained by authorities.
