Udupi: The Udupi District Congress staged a protest condemning the recent hike in the prices of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders by the central government.
Protest march held in the city
Congress leaders and party workers organised a protest march from the Udupi District Congress office to Brahmagiri Circle, where they later held a demonstration against the price hike.
The protesters raised slogans criticising the central government and demanded that the increased LPG prices be rolled back.
Members of the party said the rise in fuel prices has placed a heavy financial burden on households as well as businesses that rely on LPG for daily operations.
Symbolic protest with firewood stove
As part of the demonstration, members of the Mahila Congress staged a symbolic protest to highlight the difficulties faced by the public due to rising cooking gas prices.
They lit a traditional firewood stove on the road and prepared tea during the protest. The tea was later distributed to members of the public as a symbolic gesture, drawing attention to the possibility of people being forced to return to traditional cooking methods due to the rising cost of LPG cylinders.
The act was intended to demonstrate the hardships that ordinary families may face if cooking gas prices continue to increase.
Congress leaders criticise price hike
Congress leaders alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party had earlier staged strong protests even over minor increases in cooking gas prices when it was in the opposition.
However, they claimed that the current central government has increased the price of domestic LPG cylinders by ₹60 and commercial LPG cylinders by ₹115.
The protesters argued that the price hike has put crores of people across the country under financial pressure.
They also warned that the steep increase in commercial LPG cylinder prices could have a serious impact on the hotel and hospitality sector, as many establishments depend heavily on LPG for cooking.
Protesters display cylinders with leaders’ photos
During the protest, demonstrators displayed LPG cylinders bearing pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The display was meant to express their anger and dissatisfaction with the central government over the fuel price increase.
Protesters said the demonstration was aimed at highlighting the issue and urging authorities to reconsider the decision.
Leaders participate in demonstration
Several Congress leaders and office-bearers took part in the protest.
Among those present were Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Udupi District Congress president and Udupi District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee president; M A Gafoor, president of the Coastal Development Authority; Jyothi Hebbar, president of Udupi District Mahila Congress; and Veronica Cornelio, party spokesperson.
Party leaders stated that protests would continue if the central government does not withdraw the LPG price hike.
The demonstration concluded after leaders addressed the gathering and reiterated their demand for a rollback of the increased gas prices.