New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has secured permission from the Bombay High Court to file a civil suit against major social media platforms over alleged defamatory posts and AI-generated deepfake videos linking him and his family to the government’s E20 (20% ethanol-blended petrol) policy.
The court allowed Gadkari to initiate proceedings against Meta, X Corp, Google LLC, and other platforms, while also permitting him to seek interim relief and a temporary injunction against content allegedly associating him with profiteering from the ethanol-blending programme.
Kejriwal Announces National Town Hall
Amid the controversy, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal announced a nationwide campaign against the E20 policy. He said the party will organise a “National Town Hall” on August 1 at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi to mobilise public support.
Kejriwal claimed that an online campaign has already gathered over two lakh petitions, which he plans to submit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week. He urged the Centre to review the ethanol-blending policy before it turns into a larger public movement.
Opposition, Citizen Groups Raise Concerns
The Congress has also opposed the E20 policy, alleging it is being implemented without sufficient scientific validation and could impact millions of vehicle owners. At the same time, online campaigns and citizen groups have emerged demanding the continued availability of lower ethanol-blended fuel, greater transparency, and safeguards for vehicle owners.
Critics argue that higher ethanol blends may reduce fuel efficiency and could affect older vehicle engines, while supporters of the campaign are calling for wider public consultation.
Centre Defends E20 Policy
The Centre has maintained that ethanol blending is aimed at reducing India’s dependence on crude oil imports, lowering vehicular emissions, and increasing farmers’ income by boosting demand for crops used in ethanol production.
Gadkari’s decision to pursue legal action comes as the government seeks to counter what it describes as misinformation and deepfake content surrounding the E20 initiative, even as the political debate over the policy continues to intensify.