NEW DELHI: Comparing the frequent hikes in petrol and diesel prices to a " Jizya tax " on the people, BJP on Saturday said the government has increased the prices by 25 to 30 per cent since January this year and demanded a rollback.

"BJP condemns the continuous increase in price of petrol and diesel. This is absolutely unacceptable. Government's contention that it is due to hike in global prices is unfair and untrue. How much will this government loot the people," party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

He compared this additional burden on the people to "Jizya tax" which was levied by the Mughals on non-Muslims.

"Since January, the UPA government has increased the price of petrol by 25 to 30 per cent. There has been a hike of Rs 20 in the last eight months," Javadekar said.

The main opposition party also attacked the government for increasing diesel prices and said this is an anti-people policy which leads to a cascading effect on prices of essential commodities.

"While the government promises cheap foodgrains through Food Security Act, it is increasing price of diesel," Javadekar said.

Demanding rollback of the price of both petrol and diesel, BJP said when their international prices fall the benefit should be passed on to the people.