On Friday, several opposition parties in India criticized the government for raising petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per litre, the first increase in over four years. This move has raised concerns about worsening inflation and stunted economic growth. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that the public would suffer due to the government's mismanagement, while party chief Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized that the current economic crisis stems from a leadership failure and incompetence within the government. He warned that rising diesel prices would have a cascading effect on inflation, impacting everyone from industries to households and farmers. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also condemned the price hike, citing the burden it places on citizens already facing inflation, unemployment, and stagnant wages. They demanded an immediate rollback and urged their units to organize protests against the increase. The government, represented by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), defended the hike, claiming it was a necessary adjustment following a prolonged period of shielding citizens from global oil price shocks.