Thane: Leaders and workers of the Nationalist Congress Party, Sharadchandra Pawar-faction staged a protest in Thane against the recent increase in domestic LPG cylinder prices. The demonstration, called the “Chulha Jalao” agitation, was held outside the Thane District Collector’s Office to express anger over the rising cost of cooking gas.

The protest was led by district president Manoj Pradhan in the presence of women’s wing president Manisha Bhagat and youth president Abhijit Pawar. As part of the symbolic agitation, party members lit traditional stoves (chulhas) and cooked rice and bhakri to highlight the difficulties faced by ordinary households due to the price hike.

According to the protesters, the government has increased the price of domestic LPG cylinders by Rs 60 and commercial cylinders by Rs 118, reportedly citing the geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel. Party workers gathered outside the collector’s office, raising slogans against the central government and demanding that the hike be rolled back.

Criticising the decision, Manoj Pradhan said, “Despite anticipating the impact of international conflicts, the government failed to plan adequately, which reflects weak policy decisions.” He further alleged that India’s decisions are increasingly influenced by the policies of the United States. “On one hand, the government calls women ‘Ladki Bahin,’ and on the other, it imposes a gas price hike just a day before International Women’s Day,” he added.

Women’s wing president Manisha Bhagat also condemned the increase, saying, “The price hike will add to the financial burden of common citizens at a time when inflation is already high. The government should immediately withdraw the decision.”