When Narendra Modi was elected Prime Minister in 2014, a gallon of petrol in Delhi cost Rs 71. The price per litre is currently Rs 105.41. Diesel has been especially hard hit, with prices in Delhi jumping from Rs 57 per litre in May 2014 to about Rs 96.67 per litre now.
This figure has risen dramatically during the last year. In the recent year, people have lost jobs and salaries, while inflation has risen considerably. This is a perfect storm in two ways! Fuel prices are on the rise at a time when people’s wallets are getting thinner. In a climate when the official growth rate had fallen sharply, this should have been a huge source of public concern, if not outrage and outcry.
In a developing economy, price inflation is to be expected. But what about out-of-control inflation? While many individuals are furious, others appear to be nonchalant, as if nothing is going on.
Only 6-7 years ago, these guys appeared to be enraged by rising fuel expenses. In truth, it was one of the reasons why Manmohan Singh’s UPA-2 administration lost power in 2014. How is it that the identical item that irritated them previously no longer upsets them?
You might not be surprised to learn these people’s names because they have achieved celebrity status in the country.
Before 2014, one of the most notable issues raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was fuel price hikes. In 2013, the BJP’s Delhi branch organised a bike ride to the home of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, which was led by senior party officials. Police used water cannons to disperse party members who broke through barricades and attempted to enter the CM’s home. Enough and more visuals were created for the media.
As a result, it drew a lot of attention to the problem. It has gotten so bad that several celebrities have spoken out about it.
If we ask an opposition leader why they aren’t protesting today’s petrol price increase, they will say it’s meaningless because the media won’t cover it anyhow. If you ask journalists why the media is so silent about rising fuel prices, they will tell you that Congress is doing little to address the problem.
As a result, the persons I named earlier are politicians, journalists, and actors who are admired by a significant portion of our population. It also implies that they were the ones who were brave 6 to 7 years ago but are now silent.
Have a look at these some of them, so that next time when they said something, we will give them an appropriate answer:
1. Akshay Kumar
2. Amitabh Bachchan
3. Anupam Kher
4. Ashoke Pandit
5. Vivek Agnihotri
6. Kabir Bedi
7. Smriti Irani
8. Shiv Aroor
Now that no body is worried about Petrol Prices. Let’s revisit some old jokes on #petrolpricehike pic.twitter.com/EI4WEelta5
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 20, 2018
9. Sudhir Chaudhary
10. Gaurav Sawant
