Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Congress workers staged a protest outside the party’s headquarters in Delhi on Friday, alleging a shortage of LPG cylinders and demanding the resignation of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The demonstration was held to highlight the difficulties faced by households due to the reported shortage of cooking gas.
Symbolic Protest With Traditional Chulha
During the protest, party workers set up a traditional chulha (mud stove) and prepared tea to symbolically show that people are being forced to return to traditional cooking methods due to the alleged LPG shortage. Protesters raised slogans against the central government and accused it of failing to ensure adequate supply of cooking gas.
Opposition Blames Government Policies
Congress leaders participating in the protest claimed that many families across the country are struggling to obtain LPG cylinders. They alleged that flawed policies of the central government have created the crisis.
One Congress leader said that cooking gas cylinders have “disappeared from household kitchens,” forcing people to stand in long queues to obtain them.
Claims Of Wider Impact On Public Services
The protestors also claimed that the shortage has affected several establishments. According to them, even the Delhi High Court canteen was reportedly closed due to lack of cooking gas.
Drawing comparisons with earlier crises, a Congress leader said the situation reminded people of the long queues seen during demonetisation and the oxygen shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police Detain Protesters
As the protest intensified, Delhi Police intervened and detained several Congress workers who were participating in the demonstration.
MPs Question Government’s Stand
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed questioned the government’s claim that there is no shortage of LPG, asking why prices of cylinders have increased if supply is normal. Another Congress MP, Manoj Kumar, also criticized the government and said the public cannot be misled about rising fuel prices.
