G20 critics are set to stage what organizers described as the first public protest against the Centre’s ethanol blending policy, with a sit-in planned at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Sunday.
Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla took to X to announce that the demonstration was targeting the government’s E20 fuel rollout, with protesters demanding that motorists be given a choice between different blends of ethanol instead of the mandatory E20 system.
The protest is scheduled to begin at 2pm on Sunday, July 5. The campaign, organized against “ethanol fraud”, comes after weeks of criticism of the E20 rollout on social media and car forums.
Political analyst Ratan Dhillon, another organizer of the protest, said preparations have been completed, though the group is still awaiting final permission from Delhi Police. He said the authorities indicated that permission could be denied due to the possibility of a large gathering.
Read also | Industry experts defend E20 gasoline amid engine damage claims; Say fuel is safe for older vehicles: ‘Years of testing’
Poonawalla’s appeal to supporters
Poonawalla, an outspoken critic of the government’s ethanol blending mandate, announced the protest at X and urged supporters to join the demonstration.
“Tomorrow, we will be protesting at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, starting at 2pm. Join Team Bharat as we raise our collective voices against the ridiculous mandatory E20 mixing policy! We will also have a press conference to counter today’s event press conference by the government. Join us,” he wrote on X.
Why the protests?
In a separate post, Poonawalla clarified that the campaign was not opposed to the use of ethanol as a fuel, but was opposed to what he described as the mandatory nature of the E20 rollout.
He said that the demonstrators are demanding that the government provide more consumer choices and transparency.
“None of us are seriously opposed to talking about mandatory E20 blended fuel for bugs. You guys have accomplished that, so hereby, you guys can clean up everything under the hood. The only request we have is to choose E0, E5, E10, E20 blended fuel and all the documents are in the public domain! #EthanolScam,” he said.
Read also | AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal opposes E20 fuel rollout, says Center is treating state as a ‘laboratory’
Government clarification regarding fuel blended with ethanol
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday dismissed concerns over ethanol-blended fuel, terming claims that E20 gasoline attracts pests or damages vehicle engines as “rumours”.
Speaking in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, the minister urged people to rely on scientific evidence rather than misinformation circulating on social media.
Responding to criticism of the Centre’s ethanol blending programme, Puri said the government welcomed constructive comments and wanted to address genuine concerns.
“Over the past few days, you may have noticed a buzz on social media regarding biofuel blending. I welcome criticism. If you feel there are shortcomings in the work we are doing, please point them out. We will listen to you, incorporate your suggestions into our work and make the necessary corrections,” he said.
But he rejected what he described as unsubstantiated claims about E20 fuel, saying that misinformation is spreading without scientific basis.
Buri also emphasized that ethanol is an established fuel and not a new technology, noting that its use goes back more than a century.
