Fuel price hike: Novel protests against escalating petrol price staged

Placing a petrol container, an LPG cylinder and a motorcycle on a stretcher, they conducted final rites to them. The protest attracted the attention of the public as people gathered to witness it.tnn  |  June 10, 2018, 07:50 IST
Protesters display placards and raise slogans during a protest against the Union Government over the hike of fuel prices.
Protesters display placards and raise slogans during a protest against the Union Government over the hike of fuel prices.
Madurai: Members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India staged a novel protest to register their opposition against the increasing price of fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Placing a petrol container, an LPG cylinder and a motorcycle on a stretcher, they conducted final rites to them. The protest attracted the attention of the public as people gathered to witness it.

The protest took part in Bethaniyapuram in the city with the participation of a large number of members led by urban district leader J Parthasarathi. The protestors also rode bicycles wearing helmets meant for bikes, indicating that the petrol has become unaffordable for the common people due to its increasing price. They also came around the protest venue pushing vehicle tyres, wearing a helmet.

Talking to the newsmen, the members said that although the price of the crude oil has not increased much in the international market, the price of fuel and LPG, which are the products of the crude oil, is increasing in India. It is because the policy decision of the central government to allow the oil companies to determine the price on day to day basis. The increase in the price of petrol and diesel directly affects the common man, they opined.

They urged the central government to reduce the tax on the fuel and pass on the benefits of the lower crude oil price on the people. They also pointed out the tax levied by the state is like adding insult to the injury.