E20 protest: Hardeep Puri holds talks with Team Bharat, Poonawalla detained next day

Post the Jantar Mantar protests and clashes, the Narendra Modi government appears determined not to repeat the missteps that turned the recent student protests into a movement powerful enough to force Dharmendra Pradhan to step down as the Union education minister.

With the Ethanol-Blended Petrol programme now drawing similar backlash, New Delhi is moving early. On Wednesday (July 29), Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri reportedly met representatives of Team Bharat, the group led by activist Tehseen Poonawalla protesting the hurried E20 rollout, ahead of its planned protest on Friday (July 31).

However, the protesting team's joy was short-lived as Poonawalla was detained by Delhi Police personnel the very next day (July 30) and his Instagram account got suspended. The activist, who appreciated the minister earlier, was furious with the action and said he was not scared of any minister and would continue to expose the "ethanol scam".

Also read: Why is E20 policy report not in public domain if it's beneficial for India?: Tahseen Poonawala

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal, who backed the students’ protests and is against the EBP’s implementation, also called a protest meeting at the Constitution Club in the National Capital on Saturday (August 1).

The Centre’s EBP rollout plan has stirred anger among several vehicle owners, who blame 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol for damage to their car engines, poor mileage and higher maintenance costs, especially in pre-April 2023 vehicles. Though denying any direct link between the blending and alleged vehicle damage, the Modi government —unlike in past agitations—has opted for early engagement over confrontation.

'Happy that government reached out'

As the meeting between Puri and Team Bharat members happened, which was reported by India Today, Poonawalla told the outlet that it was the first time that the Centre “reached out to protesters” even before the actual protest began. Team Bharat proposed ‘The Gaddi March’ — a peaceful vehicle protest — near Parliament Street in New Delhi.

“We are happy that the government reached out. In the 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, it has reached out to protesters only after the protests hit the streets,” he was quoted as saying by the news outlet.

Poonawalla, who was not present at the meeting himself, called the government’s outreach “a positive step”.

The activist said while the meeting was expected to be a discussion with officials of the petroleum ministry, it actually ended in a higher-level engagement.

Also read: Policy over choice? Experts flag consumer risks in E20 fuel rollout | AI With Sanket

“The meeting was supposed to be between Team Bharat and the petroleum ministry officials, but the head of the ministry, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri himself, joined the meeting. For this action, we are grateful to the Union government,” the political commentator and venture capitalist was quoted as saying by the media outlet.

'Minister urged us to reconsider protest plan'

The meeting, which lasted nearly four hours, featured officials from the ministries of agriculture and industry, besides petroleum. Poonawalla said Puri requested Team Bharat to reconsider its plan to hold the protest march. He told India Today Digital that the team will take a call on the matter after internal discussion. He, however, ruled out indefinite deadline saying the government could not continue to drag the timeline.

Poonawalla detained, his Insta account suspended

However, on Thursday (July 30), Poonawalla was detained by Delhi Police personnel, who he said had urged Team Bharat not to go forward with the march while talks continued.

The Statesman cited Poonawalla as saying that the Centre was attempting to suppress his voice. He also claimed that his Instagram handle was suspended.

The activist, however, was undeterred and said he was not scared of Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who has faced flak over the E20 rollout. In a video shared on X, he said, “Currently, police officials are not allowing me to go near the Parliament. But I will not stop talking about this matter. I want to clearly state that I am not scared of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. You can do whatever you want, but I will not stop, since your policy is wrong. You can ask police officials to put me in jail, but I will keep fighting against you.”

Also read: The Cockroach Effect: Two new online movements now target E20 fuel, caste quotas

He also shared a screenshot to highlight that his Instagram account was suspended on Thursday and he has 180 days to appeal, failing which will see it getting permanently disabled.

Poonawalla warns Gadkari

“My message to Shri Nitin Gadkari ji after my Instagram account has been suspended. Sir, do what you can, I will continue to expose the #EthanolScam. I don’t get scared of you and you are in conflict wrt Ethanol distilleries owned by your children,” Poonawalla wrote on X.

My message to Shri Nitin Gadkari ji after my Instagram account has been suspended.

Sir, do what you can, I will continue to expose the #EthanolScam.

I don't get scared of you and you are in conflict wrt Ethanol distilleries owned by your children.#EthanolScam
BETA BADHAO… pic.twitter.com/q0rMCUdlZ0

— Tehseen Poonawalla Official 🇮🇳 (@tehseenp) July 30, 2026

Poonawalla also claimed in a post on X that Delhi Police was also restricting his movement in New Delhi. He also posted one message on the social media platform addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “Respected PM sir, on one hand you encourage your ministers, MPs to join Instagram on the other hand my account is suspended when it is trending. I leave this to your judgement. With humility, I will continue to fight within the walls of decency and within democratic means.”

The suspension of his Instagram account was condemned by many people, including members of the public and prominent personalities, including actor-writer Tara Deshpande and journalist Rajdeep Sardesai.