New Delhi, India, July 26 (HBTV): A new digital community protesting ethanol-blended fuel is gaining traction on social media following the 'cockroach' movement that saw a rare Gen Z unity across the country over the NEET paper leak issue.
The 'E20 Janta Party' appears to have modelled itself after the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical political movement born out of a remark by the Chief Justice of India that helped propel the NEET paper leak issue into a nationwide movement.
At the time of filing this story, the E20 Janta Party had 218,000 followers on Instagram, with the count continuing to rise.
The self-described 'party' says it is demanding the freedom to choose 100% unblended fuel at a discounted price and the resignation of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who has been facing online backlash over E20 fuel.
The government, however, has asserted that there is no proposal to return to 'lower standard' unblended fuel.
Petrol currently sold in India is referred to as E20 because it is blended with 20% ethanol, which the government describes as a technologically advanced fuel.
Critics, however, argue that E20 fuel reduces vehicle mileage and damages vehicle engines.
(Inputs from NDTV)