Clarification comes as speculation spreads online following PM Modi’s speech and global tensions linked to the Iran-US conflict
The government on Thursday dismissed rumours about a possible nationwide lockdown in India, calling the speculation “completely false” and urging citizens not to spread misinformation.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri clarified that the government was not considering any proposal for a lockdown, even as global developments continue to create uncertainty.
“Rumours of a lockdown in India are completely false,” Puri said in a post on X, adding that spreading such speculation during a sensitive period was “irresponsible and harmful.”
The clarification comes amid heightened global tensions following the ongoing Iran-US conflict, which has triggered disruptions in energy markets and supply chains worldwide.
Government monitoring global situation
Puri said the government is closely monitoring developments related to energy supplies, global trade routes, and essential commodities.
“The global situation remains in flux, and we are closely monitoring developments across energy, supply chains, and essential commodities on a real-time basis,” he said.
He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel, energy, and other critical supplies for citizens.
“We are fully prepared to handle emerging challenges,” Puri said, stressing that India has repeatedly shown resilience during global crises.
Lockdown rumours triggered by speculation
Speculation about a potential lockdown began circulating on social media after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent speech in Parliament, where he discussed the ongoing geopolitical crisis in West Asia.
Several online posts suggested that the Prime Minister had hinted at the possibility of a lockdown, prompting searches such as “Is lockdown coming back to India” and “India lockdown news.”
However, government sources said the Prime Minister did not mention any lockdown during his address.
Instead, he referred to the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of how India handled a global crisis and urged citizens to remain “prepared and united,” similar to the collective response during the pandemic.
Officials said the current speculation may also have been influenced by global concerns about fuel supply disruptions and energy conservation measures adopted by some countries.
Government cuts excise duty on fuel
The clarification also comes shortly after the government announced a reduction in central excise duties on petrol and diesel to cushion consumers from rising fuel prices.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has reduced the central excise duty on petrol and diesel for domestic consumption by ₹10 per litre each.
At the same time, export duties have been imposed to ensure adequate domestic availability of fuel.
According to the announcement:
- ₹21.5 per litre export duty on diesel
- ₹29.5 per litre export duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)
Sitharaman said the measures are intended to protect consumers from rising fuel prices amid global energy disruptions.
“Hon. PM @narendramodi has always ensured that citizens are protected from vagaries of supply and costs of essential goods,” she said in a post on X.
The government also informed Parliament about the changes, noting that the move is aimed at maintaining fuel availability and stabilizing domestic prices during the ongoing global crisis.
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