Tehseen Poonawalla claims house arrest ahead of hunger strike over E20 petrol: ‘Nitin Gadkari is scared’
Poonawalla Asserts House Arrest Precedes E20 Petrol Hunger Strike; Accuses Gadkari of Fear
Bharatmorningnews.com – Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla stated on Saturday that authorities in Delhi had confined him to his residence before his scheduled demonstration regarding the E20 fuel initiative. The activist had previously declared intentions to proceed on foot toward Gandhi Smriti, where he planned to conduct both a silent vigil and a fast in opposition to the new policy.
Through multiple social media updates on Saturday, Poonawalla displayed images of law enforcement officers stationed near his home. He alleged that officials had restricted his movements while simultaneously directing criticism toward Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari.
Detention Without Documentation
During a video clip circulated on X, the activist was captured questioning a uniformed officer regarding the absence of formal documentation for his confinement.
Guys, Delhi Police has detained me!!! They have put me under house arrest with NO PAPERS!!
Addressing Gadkari directly in another message, Poonawalla noted that a full battalion, comprising female officers as well, had executed the house arrest. He suggested the minister harbored apprehension about ethanol.
An entire battalion of Delhi Police, including women officers, has put me under house arrest! Nitin Gadkari is scared of ethanol.
According to Poonawalla, an officer communicated that directives had come from higher levels to impose the restriction. In additional footage, the same officer mentioned concerns that legal order might be disrupted if crowds assembled to support the activist during the demonstration.
Broader Context of E20 Opposition
Following the Cockroach Janta Party’s successful campaign concerning examination paper irregularities—which resulted in education minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepping down—Poonawalla has sought to mobilize public sentiment around the fuel policy.
The E20 blend, consisting of eighty percent gasoline and twenty percent ethanol, has encountered substantial pushback from various opposition factions and consumer advocacy groups. Poonawalla and his Team Bharat organization are primarily advocating for the continued availability of pure petrol alongside E5 and E10 variants to ensure consumer choice.
Union minister Gadkari told Parliament on Thursday that the ethanol blend might reduce fuel efficiency by two to six percent, with variations based on vehicle model and age. In written responses submitted to the Lok Sabha, he countered that E20 provides superior acceleration, smoother rides, and approximately thirty percent fewer carbon emissions compared to E10 fuel.
Upcoming Demonstrations
The Aam Aadmi Party previously declared plans to launch a campaign against the policy starting this month. Concurrently, transport associations in the capital are organizing a procession.
AAP national convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced last month that the party would convene a National Town Hall Against E20 at the Constitution Club of India on August 1.
We are inviting people to join in large numbers on this platform, where we will discuss how to create pressure on the central government to withdraw E20 petrol. Experts and people who have faced problems with their vehicles are all invited,
Kejriwal added that individuals wishing to participate remotely could text the number 85-88-833-212.
Transport bodies based in Delhi have similarly scheduled a march to Parliament on August 4. Sanjay Samrat, president of the Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association, emphasized the need to alert lawmakers about vehicle issues reported nationwide.
We want to give a wake-up call to the Members of Parliament who have been sleeping on this issue, as the problems in vehicles caused by ethanol blending are being reported from across the country,
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai has reportedly submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the removal of ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri from their positions due to this matter.
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