Members of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) [SUCI(C)] staged a protest at Kurugodu town in Ballari district on Sunday condemning the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices and expressing anger against the Central government.

The protesters criticised the decision of government-owned oil companies to increase petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per litre each and termed the move anti-people.

Speaking during the protest, party leaders said that the hike in fuel prices will lead to inflation by increasing the prices of essential commodities and transportation costs.

They said that the BJP-led Central government is attempting to justify the fuel price hike by citing the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

They said that India lost an opportunity to purchase crude oil from Russia at concessional rates due to pressure from the United States.

The protesters also said that nearly half of the retail price of petrol and diesel comprised taxes imposed by the Central and State governments.

They demanded immediate reduction in taxes on fuel by both the Central and State governments and urged the authorities to abandon the policy of fixing global-level prices for petrol and diesel refined and produced within the country for the benefit of oil companies.

The protesters also called upon India to exert pressure on the United States to stop interference in the internal affairs of other countries and work towards ending the war.

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