New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s National Town Hall Against E20, held at Delhi’s Constitution Club on Saturday, drew overwhelming participation from across the country, with more than 7 lakh people joining online and offline. During the programme, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal placed three demands before the Modi Government on behalf of the people of the country: provide the option of both pure petrol and E20 at petrol pumps, make E20 cheaper than pure petrol, and reduce the price of petrol to below ₹84 per litre.
The AAP Chief revealed that PM Modi is forcibly imposing ethanol on the people of India to please Donald Trump. Sharing that India imported 1 billion litres of ethanol from the United States last year and would import 5 times more this year after the implementation of E20, he urged people to stop buying petrol and diesel vehicles. He appealed to people not to purchase any vehicle until E100 compatible vehicles begin to be manufactured in the country, warning that the government’s policy would ruin consumers.
Addressing the packed hall, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, “People are not merely watching today’s programme. They are deeply troubled by this issue. The E20 blended petrol, this adulterated petrol that PM Modi has imposed on the country, has caused so much distress to the people that over 7 lakh people joined us live online to express their support against it. Today we heard many people speak about the problems they’re facing. For every person who spoke, at least 100 times more people wanted to speak. I request all of you to make videos and post them on social media. Tag me and send me collaboration requests. I will share everyone’s videos from my own account.”
He continued, “I am certain that the government is also watching this programme today. Whenever their ministers appear, they say E20 is safe, that there is no problem with E20, and that anyone raising their voice against E20 is anti national. Today people placed so many testimonies before everyone. We presented so much evidence. An organisation called LocalCircles conducted a survey of 45,000 vehicle users across the country. It found that the mileage of 67% of people had reduced and the engines of 45% had been damaged. Are all the people who shared their suffering today lying? Is all of this false? Yet their ministers keep saying E20 is fine.”
The AAP Chief asserted, “At least present something in response. Show us a report, a scientific study or some engineering evidence. They say they have conducted a study. If you have conducted one, then there must be a report. Show us that report. We are educated too, even more than you. Your degree is fake, ours is genuine. People sought my degree through RTI and my alma mater, IIT Kharagpur, provided it along with transcripts. I sought their degree and now there is a criminal case against me in Gujarat. A trial is underway because I asked for their degree. If you have a report, then show it. There should be a discussion in this country.”
Criticising the government’s response, he added, “Instead of holding a discussion, you threaten and file FIRs against those who raise their voice. That means something is wrong. It means E20 itself is flawed. If E20 actually had no problems, they would sit across the table and discuss it. We would present our evidence and they would present theirs. But when you resort to threats, it means something is wrong.”
Speaking about higher ethanol blends, Arvind Kejriwal said, “These days they say they are not bringing E25, E30 and E40 yet because studies are underway. They are simply waiting for this issue to cool down. As soon as it fades, they will bring the higher blends. They are not conducting any studies. They are doing nothing. They are indulging in goondaism. They are forcing this upon the country.”
Calling upon people to avoid buying petrol and diesel vehicles, the AAP Chief stated, “Earlier there were E10 vehicles and they forcibly introduced E20 into them. Now those vehicles have been damaged. Next year they will put E25 into E10 vehicles, then E30 and then E40. Everything will be ruined. Today if you buy a vehicle, you are getting an E20 vehicle. If E30 is introduced into it later, that too will be damaged. Let them first bring E100 completely. Only after that should you buy an internal combustion vehicle. If you must buy one, then buy an electric vehicle. Do not buy any other vehicle, not even a diesel one. They are planning adulteration in diesel as well. They are deceiving people. They will put E20 into E10 vehicles, E50 into E20 vehicles and E100 into E50 vehicles. This is what they have forced upon the country.”
Speaking about his outreach to automobile manufacturers, he shared, “I wrote letters to all 29 companies in our country that manufacture petrol powered scooters, motorcycles, SUVs, cars, two wheelers and four wheelers. I asked only two questions. First, can vehicles manufactured before 2023 safely use E20? Second, if you say they can and someone’s vehicle gets damaged, will you give it in writing that you will pay compensation? If someone’s mileage decreases, will you also give it in writing that you will compensate them?”
Sharing the response from manufacturers, he added, “None of the companies replied to my letter. However, I personally had detailed conversations with officials from 9 companies. They told me that vehicles manufactured before 2023 were E10 vehicles and E20 could not be used in them. They said the government had forced this upon them. If E20 is used, the vehicle will be damaged and mileage will decline. I asked them to put this in writing.”
“They said they could not because the Prime Minister was threatening them, saying he would shut down their factories, conduct Income Tax raids, close their plants and send the ED (Enforcement Directorate) after them. They said they could not put it in writing. At the same time, they also said they could not certify in writing that E20 is safe because consumers would then approach consumer courts demanding compensation. They can neither write one thing nor the other. So why is this being forced upon everyone,” he pointedly asked.
Recalling an anecdote, Arvind Kejriwal remarked, “There used to be a joke about a competition between the police of Russia, USA and India. A lion was released into a forest and the police were told to catch it. The Russian police caught it in five days. The American police caught it in one day. But after a few days, there was no sign of PM Modi’s police. When people went inside, they saw PM Modi’s police beating up a dog and forcing it to say, ‘I am a lion. I am a lion.’ That is exactly what they are doing to us. They keep saying E20 is fine. How is it fine? Are all these people lying? Earlier BJP supporters used to call those opposing E20 ‘anti-national’ and say this was the Opposition’s agenda. Now even BJP supporters are abusing them.”
Raising questions about ethanol, the AAP Chief said, “Now the biggest question arises. Ethanol is more expensive than petrol. If all taxes are removed, petrol costs around ₹50, while ethanol costs around ₹70. Ethanol is more expensive than petrol. Ethanol also gives lower mileage because its calorific value is lower. They claimed ethanol saves foreign exchange. Many people have written articles and done calculations showing that it does not save any foreign exchange. They claimed farmers benefit from ethanol. No farmer is benefiting. Wherever ethanol plants have been established, the surrounding water has been destroyed for 20 kilometres, pollution has increased and nearby land has been damaged. Farmers are unhappy because of it. So if there is no benefit from ethanol, why is the government forcing it upon the country?”
Questioning the government’s motive, Arvind Kejriwal said, “A lot of people from the audience say this is being done to benefit Nitin Gadkari’s family. I do not believe PM Modi has any interest in benefiting Nitin Gadkari’s children. Had it been Amit Shah’s children, perhaps one could still have believed it. But I am not prepared to believe that PM Modi imposed ethanol on the country just to increase the profits of Nitin Gadkari’s children. We all know what kind of friendship exists between PM Modi and Nitin Gadkari. So why is PM Modi imposing ethanol across the country? I have been researching this for the past few days.”
Presenting the reason behind the government’s ethanol imposition, he pointed out, “A few days ago, India and the United States signed a trade deal. It states that over the next five years, India must compulsorily purchase goods worth $100 billion from the United States. Now, what are we supposed to buy? There is nothing we actually need, so we will be forced to buy something. The United States is the world’s largest producer of ethanol. It produces more ethanol than any other country, but it does not have enough domestic consumption. In our country, E20 is being forced upon us, whereas in the United States the blend is less than E10 and consumers are given a choice at every petrol pump between E10 and pure petrol. They do not have E20 there. So where will America sell its ethanol?”
Citing import figures, the AAP Chief continued, “It is surprising that compared to two or three years ago, India imported twice as much ethanol last year. Now, after imposing E20, ethanol imports will be five times higher than last year. Even more surprisingly, all of that ethanol will be imported from the United States. Last year, India imported one billion litres of ethanol from the United States. Three years earlier, it was only half that amount. Last year it was 1 billion litres. This year, after implementing E20, India will import 5 billion litres of ethanol, all of it from the United States.”
He said, “In 2018, the Central Government had announced that E20 would be implemented across the country by 2030. However, after Donald Trump came to power, PM Modi began saying that E20 would be implemented in 2025-26 itself. Five billion litres amounts to approximately $2.5 billion. In one year, India will purchase $2.5 billion worth of ethanol from the United States. Over five years, India will buy $15 billion to $20 billion worth of ethanol. Out of the $100 billion worth of goods, India will purchase $20 billion worth of ethanol from the United States, even though we do not need it. Whatever PM Modi’s compulsion may be, some say it is because of the Epstein files while others say it is to protect Adani. I do not know what his compulsion is before Donald Trump, but he has sold the entire country, damaged people’s vehicles and ruined the nation.”
When people lose their fear of police ‘lathis’, the throne begins to shake: Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal further said, “The youth movement had recently succeeded and Dharmendra Pradhan had to resign. What was its turning point? PM Modi was very arrogant and believed he could deal with these students. One day, Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed, with the expectation that the protest would end. Instead, the protest grew even bigger. Then, on 20 July, they decided to use ‘lathis’ (batons) and tear gas. They cracked the heads of their own children, broke their legs and brutally beat them.”
“They believed parents and children would become afraid. People do become afraid, and parents often warn their children not to go. But something extraordinary happened. By the night of 20 July, between 4,000 and 10,000 people had gathered at Jantar Mantar. When people lose their fear of police ‘lathis’, the throne begins to shake. The events of the night of 20 July had already made it clear, and that very day I told my friends that Dharmendra Pradhan would now have to resign,” he affirmed.
The former Delhi CM asserted, “They sent me to jail. Had I done something wrong and feared conviction, I too would have joined the BJP or the NDA and become friends with them. I knew that if not today, then tomorrow, justice would certainly be delivered. I went to jail and have now lost all fear of imprisonment. I spent six months in jail and am prepared to spend six years as well. The day people lose their fear of jail and police ‘lathis’ is the day the people achieve victory. Some people are afraid and are even hesitant to upload videos. Remove that fear from your mind just once and start posting videos. Let us see how many people PM Modi can send to jail. PM Modi’s ED, CBI, police, Income Tax Department and all other agencies will fall short.”
He pointed out, “People often wonder how just 80,000 British rulers governed a population of 30 crore Indians. The same applies today. How many police personnel and agencies does PM Modi really have, compared to India’s 140 crore people? Once 140 crore people raise their voice together, PM Modi will have to bow. Everyone must remove fear from their minds. Make plenty of videos, record your own as well as your friends’ videos and upload them on social media. Tag me and send me collaboration requests. I will share everyone’s videos. I am not afraid of them.”
The government has deliberately made petrol expensive to benefit oil companies: Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal placed three demands before the Modi Government on behalf of the people of the country. He said, “First, every petrol pump should offer both pure petrol and E20, allowing consumers to choose whichever they prefer. If the government provides that option and people still buy E20, then it means E20 is genuinely acceptable. This is a market, so let the market decide. Those who wish to buy E20 should buy E20, while those who want pure petrol should be able to buy pure petrol. Second, E20 should be cheaper than pure petrol. Third, petrol has been deliberately made expensive to benefit oil companies, so its price should be below ₹84 per litre. People can also calculate how much financial loss E20 will cause their households annually and over a period of five years.”
When Prime Minister Modi arrived at the Town Hall…
The atmosphere at the town hall organised against forceful imposition of E20 turned energetic when comedian Shyam Rangeela took the stage to mimic the Prime Minister. Speaking in the Prime Minister’s voice, he joked that Arvind Kejriwal had arranged a chair for him today, but even sitting on that chair did not look right to him and it caused him some pain. He said they had promised “Achhe Din”, but today people had gathered only to demand that the old days should return.
A year ago, when pure petrol was available at the correct price, people did not realise those were the “acche din”. They had now introduced E20 and increased petrol prices only so that people would finally recognise what those good days were. He added that they would continue working in the national interest in the same manner. During the programme, he also responded, in the Prime Minister’s voice, to questions from Arvind Kejriwal and people sharing their experiences with E20, leaving the audience in splits.
More than 7 lakh people watched the Town Hall online
The Town Hall organised at the Constitution Club also received overwhelming support online. Few, if any, public interest town halls have received such strong participation. The programme began at 11:30 a.m., with people joining gradually, and every minute thousands more continued to join. By the time the programme concluded, more than seven lakh people were watching it online. This reflected the scale of public anger and dissatisfaction over E20.
Constitution Club hall packed to capacity, hundreds also watched on the outdoor screen
The Town Hall received an overwhelming response from the public. As Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party leaders had expected, a large number of people attended the event. The hall booked at the Constitution Club was completely packed, with many people even standing throughout the programme. In addition, LED screens had been installed outside for the convenience of attendees, where hundreds of people watched the entire event.
The Central Government was also shown the mirror on E20 through a play
The Town Hall began with a theatrical performance inspired by Kaun Banega Crorepati. Through the play, a group of young people logically explained the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using E20. The performance sought to convey that E20 is not safe for older vehicles and offers no real benefit. According to the play, the only beneficiaries are the government and oil companies.
-People shared their experiences with E20 at the Town Hall-
E20 is damaging not just rubber parts but fuel pumps as well: Manish Kashyap, YouTuber
At the Town Hall, Manish Kashyap said, “At least Arvind Kejriwal has listened to the voice of 30 crore vehicles that cannot speak for themselves. After elections, the discussion should focus only on the public interest. I bought a Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid. After running just 12,000 kilometres, the vehicle stopped picking up speed. Out of the country’s 1.03 lakh petrol pumps, only around 5,000 to 7,000 are suitable for E20. The government talks about replacing ₹300 rubber parts, but the first component to fail because of E20 is the fuel pump, which costs anywhere between ₹10,000 and ₹1 lakh. When my vehicle developed problems, the service centre issued a bill of ₹7,960, out of which 9% State GST and 9% Central GST went to the government. Within a year, vehicle servicing costs will increase by one and a half times.”
Nitrogen fertiliser used to produce ethanol is 273 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide: Dr Anupam Saini, Professor
Dr Anupam Saini said, “The bitter truth about E20 has been hidden from people. Nitrogen fertiliser used in ethanol production is 273 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide. Producing one litre of ethanol generates approximately 40% to 50% carbon footprint. Compared with emissions from vehicle exhausts, these emissions from agricultural fields are far more dangerous. In India, producing ethanol from sugarcane requires an average of 2,500 to 3,000 litres of water, even though the country is already facing a severe water crisis. In addition, around 70% of India’s electricity is still generated from coal. One litre of petrol provides 10 to 20 units of energy, whereas ethanol generates only around 1.5 to 5 units of energy, significantly reducing vehicle efficiency.”
My new bike’s engine was completely damaged because of E20 petrol: Neeraj Jha, Zomato rider
Neeraj Jha, a Zomato rider, shared, “I work as a delivery partner for Zomato. Because of E20 petrol, the engine of my new motorcycle was completely damaged and I have been unemployed for the past two months. Earlier, I used to buy petrol costing ₹95 per litre, but it has now increased to ₹115 per litre. Previously, I earned ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 every month through Zomato, but with work coming to a halt, my income has completely stopped. My new motorcycle had been running perfectly until engine problems developed. When I took it to a mechanic, I was told that water had entered the engine. When I checked for myself, water actually came out of the engine. I do not know whether it was ethanol or something else. I do not understand who is ultimately responsible for my condition.”
Older vehicles are facing the most carburettor problems because of E20: Aamir Khan, Mechanic
Aamir Khan, a mechanic, stated, “I have 12 years of experience repairing two-wheelers and petrol vehicles. Because of E20 petrol, older BS3 and BS4 vehicles are facing serious carburettor problems. If a vehicle filled with E20 is left unused for 15 to 20 days or for a month, sludge and algae begin accumulating in the lower section of the carburettor where petrol collects. A sticky sweet residue forms there, eventually damaging the carburettor completely and causing the vehicle to stop running. This problem did not exist in older vehicles before. Even in newer BS6 vehicles, the use of E20 leads to a significant drop in pickup and mileage, and vehicles often stall while being driven. BS6 motorcycles have a fuel pump with an internal filter inside the fuel tank. Because of E20 petrol, this filter gets clogged very quickly, resulting in a substantial increase in vehicle servicing costs.”
