What is the fault of the public?
The blockade of the National Highway on Monday morning by the Ernakulam Congress District Committee against the fuel price hike drew the attention of the people in the wake of the lone protest of the talented actor Joju George. No one will support unjustified strikes like roadblocks, even for a short time in a busy city. It is a situation where people are helpless in the face of organized force. Actor Jojo's words expressed anger, protest and helplessness at having to lie on the road for so long without being able to move forward. Protesters vandalised actor Jojo's car and escalated into an assault. The Congress leaders alleged that the actor had barged into the strike venue and insulted women activists. The actor was also accused of being under the influence of alcohol. A medical examination revealed that the actor was not intoxicated.
Humans leave homes in the morning in vehicles for essential matters. The leaders said that they had given advance notice that they would block the road at the busy Edappally-Vyttila-Aroor bypass in Ernakulam. The police also gave the instruction through media to divert traffic. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the road following the strike as many were unaware of the instruction. It is not the people who are raising fuel prices. Central and State Governments. It's pure nonsense to block people on the road. It is necessary to look for other effective means of correcting the wrong fuel policy. The police had to understand that protesters were carried out by the protestors from the fact that protesters were carried out.
The insults made against Jojo George by some of the leaders and activists in the riots were not only reprehensible but also doesn’t match with the Congress culture. It is unfortunate that even the state president of the party is in this group. Many jumped into the mudslinging without realizing the facts. What did he do wrong just to perform and challenge the actor to his residence? The actor was angry and protested because he got stranded on the road. Usually in such cases no one will speak out out of fear.
There is a need for a people's uprising against the rising fuel prices that are suffocating the people. But the methods of struggle chosen for this should not be in the hearts of the people. Neither the ministers nor the government are going to be bothered by the road blockade. They only turn their faces away from the protesters and it will be hell for passengers on the road. It is understood that there are some in the Congress who are opposed to the road blockade. That is a good sign.