Indian Youth Congress Protests Against Ethanol-Petrol Policies in Delhi

The Indian Youth Congress recently organized a protest in Delhi, criticizing Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's ethanol-blended petrol policies. Protesters accused Gadkari of misleading the public and enriching his family through these policies. Akshay Lakra, the IYC president, highlighted the adverse effects of E20 petrol on the automobile sector, while Gadkari defended his stance, asserting that hydrogen is the future of transportation. This event underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding fuel policies in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 10, 2026, 16:39 IST

Protest by Indian Youth Congress

Members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) staged a protest outside their office in Delhi, donning masks featuring the face of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. They carried bottles of ethanol-blended petrol and cash, and even utilized a sugarcane juice extraction machine during their demonstration. One IYC member expressed that the public is being deceived under the guise of ethanol, accusing Gadkari of exploiting citizens to enrich his sons, who are involved in the ethanol business.

Concerns Over E20 Petrol

Akshay Lakra, the president of the Indian Youth Congress in Delhi, voiced concerns that the introduction of E20 petrol has severely impacted the country's automobile industry, leading to expensive vehicles breaking down on the roads. He questioned why they should pay Gadkari through petrol companies when they could directly hand him money, chanting, 'E20, E20, Nitin Gadkari 420,' holding him accountable for the substandard petrol.

Nitin Gadkari's Response

In response, Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that hydrogen is the future of the transportation industry, with trials being conducted on ten routes across the country for its use as fuel. He mentioned that these trials are taking place on routes including Greater Noida-Delhi-Agra, Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri, and several others. Gadkari emphasized that his ministry is working on a pilot project for hydrogen testing, expressing confidence that hydrogen will be the fuel of the future.

Event Participation

Gadkari made these remarks while addressing the 'Pravas 5.0' and India Travel Awards event, reiterating his commitment to advancing hydrogen as a sustainable fuel option for the transportation sector.