Tehseen Poonawalla Claims Delhi Police Attempted House Arrest Ahead Of E20 Fuel Protest

New Delhi: Just before the proposed 'Gadi March' in protest against the E20 petrol policy, political analyst and social activist Tehseen Poonawala has claimed that Delhi Police is preparing to put him under house arrest. He alleged that the police action was aimed at stopping peaceful protests. Poonawala said that his campaign is not against any political party but is about the rights of consumers and the demand for choice in fuel policy. Meanwhile, there has been no official response from Delhi Police on his claims. 

What is the whole controversy?

Tehseen Poonawala and his organisation 'Team Bharat' have been opposing the E20 (20 percent ethanol mixed) petrol policy implemented across the country for some time. He says that the new fuel system has been implemented without giving adequate options to the owners of old vehicles. The protesters are demanding that along with E20, other options should also be made available to consumers at petrol pumps so that people can choose the fuel according to the capacity of their vehicles.

What allegations did Poonawala make against the police?

Tehseen posted on social media. It was written in it that he had received news that he would not be allowed to leave the house before March. “If I am stopped, it will be stifling the right to peaceful protest,” he said. He also appealed to the supporters that the movement will remain peaceful. But till now the police has neither said yes nor no.

Why is there protest against E20 petrol?

The protesting people allege that the use of E20 fuel is causing problems like reduced mileage and extra pressure on the engine in some old vehicles. On the other hand, the central government and experts say that ethanol-blended fuel is an important step towards reducing dependence on imported crude oil, increasing the income of farmers and reducing pollution. The government has also consistently maintained that the policy has been implemented after scientific trials and phased preparation.

Have there been protests before?

Demonstrations have taken place at Jantar Mantar earlier also. Then the organisers had said that the police had asked them to keep the number of people less. After that there was a heated argument between Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the protesters. The protesters were saying that they had people whose vehicles were damaged by E20. The government had rejected those claims.

What will happen next?

Everyone's eyes are fixed on the situation regarding the vehicle march. If the demonstration goes as per schedule, it could be considered the biggest public campaign ever against the E20 policy. At the same time, if the administration imposes any kind of restriction, then the matter can become a subject of political and legal debate. At present, the organisers say that their movement will be completely peaceful and their aim is to present the concerns of consumers before the government.