Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 5: A protest against what organisers describe as the "rushed implementation" of the Centre's E20 ethanol-blended petrol policy is scheduled to be held at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, with organisers claiming that Delhi Police has verbally permitted the demonstration while limiting participation to 200 people.
The protest, organised under the banner "Team Bharat against Ethanol Scam", is being led by entrepreneur and television personality Tehseen Poonawalla, who criticised the reported restriction and said the demonstration would proceed regardless.
Speaking to the media, Poonawalla alleged that the protest was not against ethanol-blended fuel itself but against its implementation without providing motorists with a choice of compatible fuel.
He also announced that he would hold a press conference during the protest to challenge what he described as the government's "sham" defence of the E20 policy presented by automobile and energy experts on Saturday.
Poonawalla warned that if police prevented the protest, demonstrators would stage a sit-in outside Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari's residence.
Team Bharat members said their primary demand was that vehicle owners should be allowed to choose fuel compatible with their vehicles until the necessary infrastructure and ecosystem for E20 fuel were fully established.
Team Bharat member Dinesh Tantia said countries such as Brazil and the United States offered consumers multiple fuel options and argued that Indian motorists should also have the freedom to choose suitable fuel for their vehicles.
Another member, automobile enthusiast Rattan Dhillon, questioned who would compensate vehicle owners if ethanol-blended fuel caused damage to their vehicles. He also demanded that all research and scientific studies supporting the policy be made public.
The proposed protest comes amid an intensifying debate over the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, with critics expressing concerns about its impact on older vehicles and calling for greater transparency over the scientific basis for the policy.
On Saturday, senior automobile and energy experts defended the E20 programme, stating that years of scientific testing had found no evidence that the fuel adversely affected vehicles.
The panel included former Engineers India Ltd Chairperson and Managing Director Vartika Shukla, former Indian Oil Corporation Chairman B. Ashok, and senior executives from Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Hyundai Motor India, TVS Motor, Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto.
Shukla said the ethanol blending programme had been implemented after extensive consultation and testing, noting that India achieved its E20 target in December 2025. She said the initiative would help reduce carbon emissions and strengthen energy security, while acknowledging that engine performance could witness a marginal decline depending on driving conditions.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Country Head Vikram Gulati described ethanol as an effective automotive fuel with a long history of use, while Maruti Suzuki Senior Executive Officer Rahul Bharti said the company had found no evidence suggesting E20 fuel posed problems for compatible vehicles.
Former Indian Oil Corporation Chairman B. Ashok said the ethanol blending programme had contributed to improving India's energy security while enhancing farmers' incomes.
Earlier on Saturday, senior automobile and energy experts defended the programme, stating that years of scientific testing had found no evidence that E20 fuel posed risks to vehicles.
The panel included former Indian Oil Corporation chairman B Ashok, former Engineers India Limited chairperson Vartika Shukla, and senior executives from Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Hyundai Motor India, TVS Motor, Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto.
The experts said India achieved its target of introducing E20 fuel in December 2025 after extensive testing and stakeholder consultations. They maintained that the fuel complies with Bharat Stage VI emission standards, helps reduce carbon emissions, strengthens India's energy security and supports farmers by increasing ethanol demand.
While acknowledging that engine performance could witness a marginal decline in some cases, Shukla said the impact depended on several factors, including driving habits, and asserted that the scientific methodology behind the policy was robust.
Maruti Suzuki senior executive Rahul Bharti said the company had found no evidence that E20 fuel adversely affected vehicles, while Toyota Kirloskar Motor country head Vikram Gulati described ethanol as an effective automotive fuel that has been used globally for decades.
Poonawalla said Sunday's protest and press conference would challenge what he termed the government's "false claims" regarding the E20 programme.