Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Feb 15: The district Congress on Saturday February 15 staged a protest against the rising prices of fuel and gas cylinders near Town Hall here.

The local Congress leaders and workers, led by former minister Ramanath Rai, registered their protest symbolically by preparing tea using firewood.

Addressing the protestors, Ramanath Rai said, "Gas prices have increased by up to Rs 150 after the Delhi elections. This indicates that the central government has no fear and does anything it wants to. The Supreme Court has even passed a verdict stating that reservation is not fundamental right. BJP is trying to amend the Constitution and targetting the deprived classes who are denied the social justice.

"The BJP-led central government is sidelining our Constitution. The promises made prior to the elections have not been delivered even till today. Hike in petrol and gas prices, and also increase in the price of essential commodities have put general public in quandary. The BJP is also trying to divide people on the basis of religion and caste," he said.

District Congress president Harish Kumar said, "The atmosphere in the country at present is such that people are not able to live peacefully. Economy is in critical condition, and employment is not being generated. In such a situation, it is wrong to increase the price of gas. The central government is taking up emotional issues, but till today justice has not been done to Pulwama martyrs. When Rahul Gandhi questions the government, he is projected as a sympathiser of 'terrorists'. We are not supposed to question the government about its policies, and if do question, we are labelled as anti-nationals."

MLC Ivan D'Souza said, "People are in trouble because of Modi and Amit Shah. When Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister banks were not merged, and economy was in good condition, but ever since the BJP came to power there has been a rise in unemployment, and price hike in petrol and gas."

Congress women's wing prepared tea using firewood and served cups of tea to protesters.