'Gaadi March, Gandhi March' in Delhi: Team Bharat Calls for Vehicle Protest on July 31 Against E20 Petrol Policy

Citizen group Team Bharat has called for a vehicle-based protest, termed the "Gaadi March, Gandhi March", in New Delhi on July 31 against the E20 petrol policy. Participants will drive from India Gate past the offices and residences of Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri before stopping near Parliament Street. The announcement was made by political analyst and Team Bharat figure Tehseen Poonawalla on X (formerly Twitter). The event is a vehicle rally in the national capital against the E20 petrol policy and comes after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, which ended on July 25.

Organisers have invited car and bike owners to join, describing the event as a peaceful demonstration focused on fuel policy concerns. Slogans such as "Meri Gaadi, Mera Adhikaar" and "Our Vehicles. Our Choice. Our Right" are being promoted. Tehseen Poonawalla Shares Video of AG Calling E20 Petrol Policy ‘Experiment’ in Supreme Court After Govt’s Denial.

Demands Listed by Organisers

Team Bharat has outlined several specific demands:

• Make E10 petrol available for vehicles designed for it.
• Reduce the price of E20 petrol by 20 per cent.
• Lower the price of pure petrol (E0), currently selling at around INR165-170 per litre.
• Release all documents related to the E20 fuel policy into the public domain.
• Provide solutions for pre-2023 vehicles affected by ethanol-blended fuel.
• Address what the group describes as a conflict of interest involving Nitin Gadkari regarding ethanol.

  Organisers state the march will stick strictly to these fuel-related issues and that participants should follow traffic rules and cooperate with authorities.

Background on the E20 Controversy

India accelerated its ethanol blending programme and reached the 20 per cent target (E20) ahead of the original 2030 schedule, with widespread availability from around April 2025. The government has presented the policy as a way to cut crude oil imports, support farmers, and improve energy security. Critics, including vehicle owners and groups such as Team Bharat, argue the rollout was too rapid. Many older vehicles, particularly those made before 2023, were not designed for higher ethanol blends. Common complaints include reduced mileage, higher maintenance costs, and concerns about fuel system or engine effects.

Pure petrol or lower blends such as E10 have become harder to find at pumps in many areas. Team Bharat held an earlier protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on July 5. Motorists there reported mileage drops and repair issues. The group has previously called for greater transparency, public release of technical reports, and continued availability of lower-blend or pure petrol options. Does E20 Petrol Impact Your Vehicle's Mileage? Nitin Gadkari Replies.

Government and Industry Response

Union ministers and automobile manufacturers have defended the policy. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said consumers and carmakers are comfortable with E20 and that any move to higher blends such as E25 would follow further trials. Officials acknowledge a possible 3-5 per cent drop in fuel efficiency in some cases but maintain the fuel is safe for compatible vehicles and does not cause widespread damage. Nitin Gadkari, a prominent supporter of ethanol blending, has rejected conflict-of-interest allegations. He has stated that his family’s involvement in ethanol production is marginal (around 0.07 per cent or less than 0.5 per cent in various statements) and that the policy benefits farmers and reduces import dependence. Automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, have said service data shows no major problems even with older vehicles.

Next steps

The July 31 rally is scheduled for a Friday and is being framed by organisers as a non-political, citizen-led action inspired by Gandhian methods of peaceful protest. Team Bharat has emphasised organic support and said the event will remain focused on consumer choice and transparency around the ethanol blending programme.

As of late July 2026, the government has not indicated any rollback of the E20 mandate. The debate continues between those prioritising energy security and farm incomes and those seeking greater consumer options and clearer data on vehicle impacts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2026 04:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).