Fuel prices continued to rise across the country after the Assembly elections, with petrol in Assam’s Guwahati crossing the Rs 100 mark and touching Rs 105 per litre, while diesel climbed to Rs 97.23 per litre. According to available figures, this is the fourth fuel price increase in the last 10 days. During this period, petrol prices have increased by Rs 2.72 per litre, while diesel prices have gone up by Rs 2.84 per litre. The continued rise in fuel costs has added to public concern over inflation and increasing household expenses. Many residents have expressed frustration over the growing burden caused by higher prices of fuel, transport and essential commodities.
Amid the price rise debate, the Congress party organised a symbolic protest in Madhya Pradesh that quickly attracted public attention. Congress workers distributed Melody chocolates to commuters at petrol pumps and used the gesture to criticise the BJP-led Central government over the repeated increase in petrol and diesel prices. During the protest, party workers sarcastically told commuters, “Melody khao, sab bhul jao,” suggesting that people were being asked to ignore rising inflation and daily hardships. Several motorists reportedly reacted strongly during the protest, raising concerns over the steady increase in fuel prices and the impact on common people.
The use of Melody chocolates during the protest was linked to a recent viral moment involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. During his visit to Italy, Modi had gifted a packet of Melody toffees to Meloni, a gesture that gained attention online because of the widely shared “Melodi” meme created from the names Modi and Meloni. Following the viral trend, Melody chocolates saw a sudden spike in online popularity, with reports claiming that the product went out of stock on several e-commerce platforms.
