Amid escalating global tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, concerns over fuel supply and inflation have sparked political reactions in Patna. The Congress party organized a protest at the Income Tax Roundabout, with a significant turnout of party workers, including women, demonstrating against the alleged LPG crisis and rising prices. Women symbolically placed empty gas cylinders on the road and adorned them to voice their dissent over the situation.
Protest participants also showcased traditional earthen stoves (chulhas) to emphasize the challenges faced by households resorting to older cooking methods due to cost increases and supply uncertainties. Slogans condemning the Central government, such as “Remove BJP, Save the Nation” and “Modi’s arbitrary rule will not be tolerated,” echoed during the protest. The demonstration, marked by drums, cymbals, and protest songs, mirrored the growing public frustration with inflation.
Congress state president Rajesh Ram joined the protest, criticizing the government for neglecting the common people’s concerns. He highlighted the exacerbation of financial burdens on households due to the recent hike in electricity tariffs and escalating LPG prices. Rajesh Ram humorously remarked on the affordability of LPG, once known as “Liquefied Petroleum Gas,” now humorously dubbed as “Le Pao Ge?” (Will you be able to afford it?). The protest also saw Congress workers burning an effigy of the Prime Minister, holding him accountable for the soaring inflation rates.
Leaders like Indradeep Chandravanshi and Kumar Ashish expressed deep public distress over the rising prices and cautioned that the agitation would escalate if their demands were not met. Former MLA Pratima Das highlighted the disproportionate impact of the gas crisis on impoverished women, who are now compelled to revert to cooking with traditional earthen stoves and cow-dung cakes (goitha). The Congress party, through this protest, issued a warning that unless a prompt solution is found, the agitation could evolve into a widespread movement.
