SUCI(C) holds protest in Kurugud against hike in fuel prices

Activists of the Center for Socialist Unity of India (Communists) stage a protest in Kurugud in Ballari district against the hike in petrol and diesel prices. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Members of the Socialist Unity Center of India (Communist) (SUCI(C)) staged a protest in Kurugodu town of Ballari district on Sunday, condemning the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices and expressing anger against the central government.

Protesters criticized the government oil companies’ decision to hike petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per liter and called the move anti-human.

Party officials said during the protest that the increase in fuel prices would lead to inflation by increasing prices of basic commodities and transport costs.

They said the BJP-led central government is trying to justify the hike in fuel prices by citing the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

They said India had lost the ability to buy oil from Russia at concessional prices due to pressure from the United States.

The protesters also said that almost half of the retail price of petrol and diesel is taxes imposed by the central and state governments.

They demanded an immediate cut in fuel taxes by both the central and state governments and urged the authorities to abandon the policy of setting global prices for domestically refined and produced petrol and diesel in favor of oil companies.

The protesters also called on India to pressure the United States to stop interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and to seek an end to the war.

Local committee secretary Kurugodu Govind, committee members Guralli Raja and Manikantha and workers Ambareesh, Kuri Mallayya, Veeresh, Tippeswamy, Basavaraj and Srinivas, among others, took part in the protest.

Published – 18 May 2026 18:34 IST