NEW DELHI: Thousands of Congress workers, under the leadership of Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav, organized widespread protests outside Mother Dairy outlets throughout the national capital on Monday. These demonstrations were in response to the recent Rs 2 per litre increase in the price of Mother Dairy milk. Devender Yadav sharply criticized the price hike, arguing that the increased cost would deprive children from economically weaker and middle-income families of vital protein intake, as milk is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
Yadav accused the BJP-led governments at both the Centre and in Delhi of pushing the common man into financial distress through relentless hikes in the prices of essential commodities. Yadav alleged that the BJP is primarily focused on serving the interests of the affluent while ignoring the struggles of the poor and middle classes.
Accompanied by a large gathering of Congress workers and local residents, Yadav led a demonstration outside the Mother Dairy booth at Gandhi Market, Minto Road. Prominent leaders who joined the protest included former Minister Haroon Yusuf, Communications Department Chairman and ex-MLA Anil Bhardwaj, etc.
The protestors held placards and raised slogans condemning the BJP Government, and simultaneously launched a signature campaign at Mother Dairy booths across Delhi. They engaged with consumers to garner support and demanded the immediate reversal of the milk price hike, asserting that such increases were placing a crushing burden on household finances and intensifying economic hardship for ordinary families.
Yadav highlighted that under Congress, Mother Dairy milk cost Rs 48 per litre, but has risen by 44% to Rs 69 under the BJP rule, making it unaffordable for many. He cited sharp increases in prices of essentials like tomatoes, pulses, and cooking oil, which are severely straining household budgets. He also pointed to significant hikes in fuel costs—LPG, petrol, and diesel—blaming the BJP Government for increasing excise duties despite falling global crude prices, thereby deepening the financial burden on the common man.
A comparative analysis of commodity prices from 2014 to 2024 reveals significant inflation in essential goods, placing a growing economic burden on households. For instance, potato prices have risen by 300%, from Rs 8 to Rs 32 per kg; tomato prices have skyrocketed by 1233%, from Rs 6 to Rs 80 per kg; and rice prices have increased by 257%, from Rs 14 to Rs 50 per kg. Similarly, onion prices have jumped from Rs 10 to Rs 70 per kg (600% rise), while toor dal has gone up by 344%, from Rs 36 to Rs 160 per kg. Mustard oil has seen an 81% increase, from Rs 105 to Rs 190 per litre. Milk now costs Rs 69 per litre, up 44% from Rs 48, and the cost of a gas cylinder has risen by 110%, from Rs 405 to Rs 850. Petrol has seen a 53% rise, going from Rs 68 to Rs 104 per litre. These figures reflect the intensifying pressure on family budgets across the country.
Yadav also raised concern over rising healthcare costs, stating that unemployment and inflation have made life harder for ordinary citizens, while the Modi Government prioritizes the wealthy. He criticized the sharp hike in essential medicine prices, noting that government hospitals often direct patients to private pharmacies, making treatment unaffordable for the poor. He added that costs for critical drugs for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes have risen over 10.7%, putting vital healthcare out of reach for many.
