New Delhi: The protest was being held at Connaught Place, Outer Circle, where activists of the Youth Congress rode bicycles and wore cricket kits, aiming to show the prices of petrol and diesel had reached a 'century'.
Congress youth wing alleged that the Modi government is focusing only on the development of capitalists by "robbing" common people.
National President of Indian Youth Congress, Srinivas B.V. said, "Modi government is punishing the people who were already burning in the fire of inflation by continuously increasing the prices of petrol, diesel and gas cylinders. By changing the structure of excise duty, the government has now come out with a new way, that is a cess of ₹2.5 and ₹4 per liter of petrol and diesel which means that it will not be shared with the states. The central government will keep this money alone."
He further added, "Modi ji has made such a dent in the budget of the housewives and the common man that they are unable to cope with it. Modi government has sought 'opportunity in disaster' to fill its pocket, 'Modi hai to Mehngai hai'. If the common man speaks against these skyrocketing prices, then they will be called anti-nationals."
IYC spokesperson Rahul Rao said, "This government has no understanding of the economy. Inflation is already increasing. The price of gas cylinders and petrol-diesel, which is on fire, will increase inflation further. We demand that the increased prices should be withdrawn with immediate effect and the increase in excise duty should be brought back to provide relief to the masses suffering from inflation and recession."
On Wednesday, petrol and diesel prices rose for the ninth consecutive day. In Delhi, petrol now stands at Rs 89.54 per litre, while Diesel stands at Rs 79.95 per litre.
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