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J&K NC to go ahead with July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar over Statehood, constitutional guarantees
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Delhi-based transport bodies have announced a protest march to the Parliament on August 4 demanding withdrawal ethanol-blended petrol. | The call has been given by the Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association and others."We are planning to hold a protest march to Parliament on August 4 against ethanol blended petrol demanding its withdrawal. We want to give a wake-up call to the member of parliaments who are sleeping till now on this issue, as the problems in vehicles from the ethanol blending are coming from across the country," Sanjay Samrat, president, Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association, said."We do not want to make this a political issue, and are not associated with any 'E-20 Janta Party' or Cockroach Janta Party or any other political party," Mr. Samrat added, referring to the online movement against the E20 fuel, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol.Harish Sabharwal, national president, All India Motor Transport Congress, said they are protesting against the government for making E20 fuel the only choice for consumers."We have said that ethanol blended petrol should not be forced upon commuters, there should be a choice, currently there is no option being given. We are supporting the protest march to Parliament, there is no call for any strike given by the association as of now," he said. Also Read : Insular incentive: On ethanol-blended fuel and the Indian consumer"This is a major issue, this is damaging vehicles, we hope the government makes E 20 blended petrol a choice for commuters," Rajender Kapoor, president, All India Motor & Goods Transport Association, said.The protest announcement comes days after ‘E-20 Janata Party’, an online movement formed along the lines of the CJP, was launched on social media, garnering huge followers on Instagram and X.The E20 ethanol-blending policy has been in the midst of a major controversy, centring on claims of reduced vehicle mileage, potential engine wear, and alleged conflicts of interest.The government has defended the programme, ruling out any immediate plan to increase blends beyond 20% and asserting that the fuel is safe, clean, and helps farmers. Published - July 27, 2026 05:13 pm IST
Activists holding a celebration at Kaloor in Kochi on July 25, 2026, to mark the success of the student protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. | K. Nithin Political parties, youth organisations and innumerable others joined the victory celebrations of the student-led agitation in New Delhi which culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, by hosting solidarity meets at different parts of the city, on Saturday (July 25, 2026).The Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) staged ‘Janadhipathya Sangamam’ while the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) took out a victory march in the city.Inaugurating the Congress meet at Rajendra Maidan, Kunnathunad MLA V.P. Sajeendran hailed the protesters for forcing the Union minister to step down, while adding that the issues concerning the NEET question paper leak were yet to be resolved. “All the culprits behind the paper leaks must be brought before the law and punished in an exemplary manner. The Congress will launch more aggressive protests if the Centre fails to take strict action against the culprits, especially since several other examinations are pending,” Mr. Sajeendran said. DCC President and Kochi MLA Mohammed Shiyas, who chaired the meet, termed the Minister’s resignation ‘a victory of democracy’.Congress activists, led by MLAs T.J. Vinod and Anwar Sadath and Kochi Mayor V.K. Minimol and other leaders, took out a victory procession from Menaka Junction to the Gandhi Statue at Rajendra Maidan, ahead of the meet. Activists holding a celebration at Kaloor in Kochi to mark the success of the student protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi | K. Nithin A group of youngsters, meanwhile, gathered at Kaloor celebrating the triumph of the Delhi protests. The participants, who came together through calls on social media, took out a march from Kaloor Metro Station to the JLN Stadium holding placards hailing democracy.The DYFI district committee took out a celebratory march from Ernakulam North to the High Court Junction. District secretary Nikhil Babu inaugurated a solidarity meet which was chaired by district committee member T.S. Shifas. Students’ Federation of India activists, led by district secretary Asish S. Anand, also held celebrations in the city. A supporter of the Cockroach Janta Party, with the party’s logo painted on his face, holding a copy of the Indian Constitution as he participates in a Pride March organised by the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad in the city. | Former Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Venu Rajamony, addressed the meet that called for strong legislation to bring a permanent solution to issues like question paper leaks. AIPC district president Eldho Chirackachalil and leaders including Nobi Thomas and Fazalu Rahman addressed the meet.The Aam Aadmi Party’s district committee took out a protest march and organised a solidarity meet at Aluva. Published - July 25, 2026 10:09 pm IST
File picture of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah speaking to the media at the party headquarters | Mustafa Kamal or due to non-confirmation of the Delhi police about the protest permission. Meanwhile, the ruling party has failed to get the support of other regional parties yet. “There will be no change in our protest. Dr. Mustafa Kamal also wanted our snatched rights to be restored. We will definitely go to Delhi on the 19th July. If we don’t get permission for Jantar Mantar, we will deliberate on the next course of action. But we are going to Delhi on 19th July,” said Mr. Abdullah.The ruling National Conference is planning to stage a protest of all its legislators at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament. It has invited all the regional and national parties to support and join the protest. No regional party has yet confirmed its participation. J&K Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari has declared not join the protest. Mr. Bukhari said the demand for the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir needs to be pursued through dialogue with the Centre, not through confrontation.“Statehood alone will not fill people’s stomachs. They need employment opportunities. This insensitive government pays no heed to these pressing issues,” said Mr. Bukhari.J&K Awami Ittehad Party has decided that its chief, Engineer Rashid, who is currently inside Tihar Jail, will decide on the participation. J&K Peoples Democratic Party is yet to decide if it will join the protest or not. Published - July 16, 2026 05:53 am IST
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