New Delhi: Political commentator and activist Tehseen Poonawalla claimed on Sunday that Delhi Police detained him while he was attempting to participate in a protest at Jantar Mantar against the government's E20 petrol policy.
Poonawalla shared a video on X showing him crossing police barricades. He said he had been detained while on his way to the protest and indicated that he would seek bail if formally arrested.
Poonawalla has been campaigning against the mandatory use of petrol blended with up to 20 per cent ethanol. He has demanded that E20 petrol be withdrawn and that E10 fuel be made available for older vehicles that may have compatibility concerns.
He also called for the removal of merchant discount rate charges on UPI transactions and demanded action against MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar in connection with the Satya Niketan building collapse. These were demands raised by Poonawalla as part of his wider protest campaign.
Earlier confrontations over E20 protests
Sunday's incident followed previous confrontations between Poonawalla and Delhi Police over demonstrations against E20 petrol.
In August, Poonawalla had claimed that police personnel stopped him from leaving his residence for a planned protest. He shared videos showing police personnel outside his home and questioned why he was being prevented from travelling to Jantar Mantar.
Poonawalla has also previously organised demonstrations at Jantar Mantar under the Team Bharat banner. During an earlier protest, organisers said Delhi Police had imposed a limit on the number of participants.
Why Poonawalla opposes E20
Poonawalla has argued that the E20 rollout could create problems for owners of older vehicles designed for lower ethanol blends. He has also linked the ethanol programme to concerns over sugar prices and the diversion of sugarcane towards ethanol production.
Vehicle owners and consumer groups have raised concerns about mileage and vehicle compatibility, although individual complaints do not by themselves establish that E20 caused particular mechanical problems.
The government's ethanol-blending programme is intended to reduce dependence on imported crude oil and support energy security. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has provided for petrol containing ethanol up to 20 per cent under the national biofuel policy.
The policy has also received support from automobile and energy-sector representatives, who have cited testing and regulatory measures surrounding the transition. Poonawalla and other critics, however, continue to demand greater consumer choice and the availability of lower-ethanol petrol for older vehicles.
Poonawalla's claim about Sunday's detention comes as the dispute over E20 petrol continues to generate protests and political debate in Delhi.
