The All Assam Students’ Union staged a protest in Guwahati on Friday, May 22, against rising fuel prices and the sharp increase in the cost of essential commodities across Assam.
The Guwahati protest was organised by the Kamrup (Metro) District Students’ Union and the Guwahati Students’ Union, while similar demonstrations were held at district headquarters across the state.
AASU held a protest in Guwahati on May 22 against rising fuel and essential commodity prices. The student body demanded immediate intervention from the State and Central governments, saying higher prices of rice, pulses, edible oil, onions, potatoes, kerosene, medicines, and fuel were putting pressure on common households.
Several senior AASU leaders joined the protest in Guwahati, including chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya, president Utpal Sarma, and general secretary Samiran Phukan. Kamrup (Metro) District Students’ Union leaders, including president Dipjyoti Malakar and general secretary Samiran Kalita, also participated along with hundreds of members.
Addressing the gathering, AASU leaders alleged that the prices of daily-use commodities had increased abnormally and were affecting ordinary families. They named essential items such as rice, pulses, edible oil, onions, potatoes, kerosene, and medicines, along with petrol and diesel, as major areas of concern.
For Guwahati residents, the protest reflects a direct household issue. Fuel price hikes can affect daily commuting costs, school transport, office travel, app-based rides, goods transport, and market prices across the city.
The impact is particularly visible in urban areas such as Ganeshguri, Beltola, Paltan Bazaar, Fancy Bazaar, Maligaon, Six Mile, Chandmari, and Panjabari, where families depend heavily on retail markets, public transport, private vehicles, and regular delivery of goods.
AASU said the burden of inflation is being felt by middle-class and low-income households across Assam. The organisation demanded urgent steps from both the State and Central governments to control prices and provide relief to the public.
The student body had earlier announced that it would launch statewide protests from May 22 if prices were not brought under control. AASU president Utpal Sarma had said that rising prices had placed ordinary people under serious financial pressure and that public agitation had become unavoidable.
The protest in Guwahati formed part of a wider statewide campaign. Demonstrations were also reported in other districts, including Dibrugarh, where AASU members protested against the continuous rise in petrol, diesel, and essential commodity prices.
In Guwahati, the protest also comes at a time when price rise has entered political discussion inside the Assam Assembly. Opposition MLAs recently raised the issue during the opening session, linking LPG, fuel, and commodity prices to public hardship.
AASU has demanded stronger monitoring and government intervention to check inflation. The organisation also called for accountability from the authorities over the current economic situation and demanded that effective measures be taken to control prices.
The next step will depend on the response of the State and Central governments to the student body’s demands. For Guwahati residents, the issue matters because inflation directly affects monthly budgets, food expenses, transport costs, and access to medicines.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Protest organiser | AASU |
| Guwahati organisers | Kamrup (Metro) District Students’ Union and Guwahati Students’ Union |
| Date | May 22 |
| Main issue | Rising fuel and essential commodity prices |
| Items mentioned | Rice, pulses, edible oil, onions, potatoes, kerosene, medicines, fuel |
| Senior leaders present | Samujjal Bhattacharya, Utpal Sarma, Samiran Phukan |
| Demand | Immediate government intervention to curb inflation |
| Wider action | Protests across Assam district headquarters |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did AASU protest in Guwahati?
AASU protested in Guwahati against rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of essential commodities, saying the price rise was putting pressure on common people.
Who organised the Guwahati protest?
The Guwahati protest was jointly organised by the Kamrup (Metro) District Students’ Union and the Guwahati Students’ Union.
Which essential items did AASU mention?
AASU leaders mentioned rising prices of rice, pulses, edible oil, onions, potatoes, kerosene, medicines, petrol and diesel.
Why is the protest important for Guwahati residents?
The issue directly affects Guwahati households because higher fuel and commodity prices can increase monthly expenses, transport costs, market prices, and medicine bills.