New Delhi: Political activist Tehseen Poonawalla alleged that he was placed under house arrest by the Delhi Police at his residence on Saturday morning. The action was taken to prevent him from carrying out a scheduled solo march, silent protest, and hunger strike against the central government’s mandatory E20 petrol policy. Sharing multiple videos on social media, Poonawalla showed police personnel, including female officers, stationed outside his home in Greater Kailash, accusing the government of attempting to stifle public dissent.
During the interaction recorded on video, Poonawalla questioned police personnel regarding the legal authorization for his confinement, emphasizing that he was detained without any formal documentation or written orders. Officers on the scene requested his cooperation, citing concerns that his demonstration could potentially disrupt public order in the national capital. Poonawalla directed sharp criticism at Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, claiming the administration was attempting to shield the ethanol blending program from scrutiny.
The planned demonstration was intended as a solo walk from APJ Abdul Kalam Marg to Gandhi Smriti, where Poonawalla intended to begin an indefinite hunger strike. This action followed the refusal of permission for a previously planned vehicle march near Parliament Street. Poonawalla and his advocacy group, Team Bharat, have been advocating for consumer choice, demanding that unblended petrol alongside E5 and E10 blends remain available at fuel stations rather than enforcing E20 petrol exclusively.
Public and political debates over the implementation of E20 fuel, which consists of 20 percent ethanol blended with 80 percent conventional petrol, have intensified in recent weeks. Vehicle owners and transport organizations have expressed concern regarding decreased fuel efficiency and potential long-term engine wear in older models. While official statements from Parliament acknowledge a minor reduction in fuel efficiency depending on vehicle specifications, government representatives maintain that extensive testing confirms the environmental benefits and structural safety of the blended fuel.
