New Delhi: Delhi Police has tightened security ahead of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s planned march to the Prime Minister’s residence to protest the E-20 petrol policy. About half an hour before the scheduled event, police erected barricades around the AAP headquarters, cordoning off the area. A large number of CRPF personnel were deployed alongside Delhi Police. Traffic was also halted on Ferozeshah Road.
Permission was not sought for the proposed march.
According to police officials, no formal permission was sought by the organizers for the proposed march to the Prime Minister’s residence. Consequently, the administration denied approval to the event. Officials say Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) is in effect in the capital, prohibiting any procession or march towards the Prime Minister’s residence.
Arvind Kejriwal announced this protest march on Monday. He stated that he intended to personally deliver a memorandum signed by over two lakh people protesting against E-20 petrol to the Prime Minister. He alleges that the central government is promoting E-20 fuel in order to increase ethanol imports from the United States.
BJP President Harsh Malhotra raised questions on AAP
Kejriwal also claimed that excessive ethanol blending in petrol is causing technical problems in many vehicles. He had previously written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting a meeting. In the letter, he demanded that regular (pure) petrol be made available at a lower price, along with E-20. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra questioned the Aam Aadmi Party’s protest, claiming that the entire event was part of a political strategy. According to him, announcing protests without permission and then making police action an issue has been the Aam Aadmi Party’s longstanding practice.
The Delhi Police has clarified that, due to security reasons and applicable legal provisions, no march or procession will be permitted toward the Prime Minister’s residence. Political rhetoric continues to swirl around the issue, and security agencies are closely monitoring the situation.