Miraj Dhungana Leads Fuel Tax Protest Rally in Chitwan

Fuel prices have continued to climb, and the impact is now being felt far beyond petrol pumps — from public transport fares to household kitchens. In Chitwan on Sunday, young protesters took to the streets in an unusual demonstration against rising fuel costs and taxes imposed on petroleum products.

Instead of riding motorcycles, participants pushed them by hand through the streets as part of a protest rally organised under the “Let Us Earn a Living” campaign led by Gen Z activist Miraj Dhungana.

The rally began from Chaubiskothi and moved towards Lions Chowk, with protesters carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding the removal of multiple taxes imposed on fuel.

Participants said the burden of inflation is no longer limited to fuel alone. Prices of daily essentials, food items and transportation have all surged in recent months, placing additional pressure on ordinary citizens.

They accused the government of worsening the situation by continuing to collect multiple layers of taxes during a time of economic hardship.

Protest Focused on Fuel Taxes

Campaign coordinator Miraj Dhungana said the government is currently collecting several taxes under different headings on petroleum products.

• Customs duty
• Pollution fee
• Road maintenance charge
• Infrastructure development tax
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Green tax

According to Dhungana, a large portion of the Rs 217 per litre petrol price currently goes towards taxes rather than the actual fuel cost.

Youth leader Bishu Lama Gurung, who led the rally, said the movement was not demanding subsidised fuel or petrol sold at a loss. He said the campaign was aimed at forcing the government to reconsider what protesters called unnecessary taxes imposed during an economic crisis.

He added that the rising cost of living has already begun affecting the daily lives of young people and working families.

More Protests Warning

Organisers said more than 100 youths joined the demonstration, which was carried out under the slogan “Six Fuel Taxes Must Be Removed”.

Protesters carried banners reading “Let Us Earn a Living” and “Good Governance Missing Amid Inflation”.

The campaign has demanded that the government immediately reduce or scrap the taxes imposed on petroleum products. Protest organisers also warned of stronger protests if their demands are ignored.