Kejriwal announces ‘National Town Hall’ on E20; to give 2 lakh petitions to PM Modi

Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), announced plans for a "National Town Hall" aimed at uniting public sentiment around the contentious issue of E20, a blend of ethanol and petrol used as fuel. During a press conference held in New Delhi on July 27, 2026, Kejriwal stated that he intends to deliver over two lakh (200,000) petitions collected through an online initiative directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in the coming week. These petitions, according to Kejriwal, reflect widespread public concern and dissatisfaction with the current policy surrounding E20 implementation. The AAP leader attributed the recent resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to the sustained pressure exerted by youth-led protests across the country. He emphasized that the "arrogant" administration had been compelled to yield to the growing influence of the younger generation, which he believes has demonstrated the power of collective action. Kejriwal called upon the Prime Minister to address the E20 issue promptly to avoid escalating tensions into a larger-scale nationwide demonstration. In preparation for the upcoming National Town Hall, scheduled for Saturday afternoon, Kejriwal outlined plans to bring together experts, affected individuals, and members of the general public to discuss grievances related to E20. Those residing in Delhi-NCR are invited to attend in person, while others can participate via an online platform. A registration number, 8588833212, was provided for interested participants seeking to join the virtual session. Kejriwal criticized the government's handling of recent protests, particularly the actions taken by law enforcement against students in Bihar and other states. He argued that such measures undermined the credibility of the administration and suggested that the government appeared indecisive in its approach to addressing concerns raised by the youth. Additionally, he expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the newly introduced anti-paper leak law, focusing instead on the perceived lack of genuine intent to combat corruption within the system. In response to calls for the resignation of Punjab's Education Minister due to allegations of exam-related misconduct, Kejriwal defended his party's record in both Delhi and Punjab. He pointed out that during AAP's tenure in Delhi, there had been no instances of examination papers leaking, and in Punjab, only a minor incident involving cheating attempts with smart pens had occurred, which was swiftly addressed. Furthermore, he highlighted Punjab's educational achievements, noting that the state had risen from being ranked 27th in education to becoming the top performer in the country since 2022. Opposition leaders welcomed the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, viewing it as a significant shift in the direction of India's education system and a setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership style. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi praised the resilience of the protesting students and urged the Prime Minister to apologize for any violent actions taken against them. He also called for accountability for those responsible for the crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations. Similarly, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge framed the resignation as a triumph for the voices of millions of young Indians who had demanded reforms in the education sector. He described it as a defeat for Modi's inflexibility and reiterated the need for the Prime Minister to acknowledge the students' efforts and ensure justice for those affected by the protests. Arvind Kejriwal himself acknowledged the significance of Pradhan's resignation, calling it a major victory for democratic principles at a time when many felt the government was unresponsive to citizen concerns. Meanwhile, AAP leader Manish Sisodia asserted that Pradhan's departure was not voluntary but rather a result of sustained pressure from student movements, suggesting that the Prime Minister had ultimately yielded to the demands of the younger generation. Support from West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee underscored the broader national impact of the student protests, with her participation in demonstrations serving as a show of solidarity. She accused authorities of cracking down on peaceful gatherings out of fear instilled by the scale of the youth-led movement. Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the overwhelming strength of the people's will compared to institutional power.