M.P. Minister’s remarks on sugar price surge draw Congress’ ire

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday (August 326, 2026) appeared to defend the rising sugar prices as he said that it should “get very expensive” while advocating less consumption among people. 

Mr. Vijayvargiya made the remarks in a light conversation with the media in Indore but ended up facing political backlash amid the recent surge in sugar prices ahead of the festive season. Various Opposition leaders have also blamed the Centre’s ethanol policy while alleging that sugar cane was being diverted for the production of ethanol, which is further blended into petrol. 

Mr. Vijayvargiya said, “I guess it [sugar price] was ₹70/kg yesterday, and today it is ₹60. It will reduce further. Anyway, 90% of people don’t like sweets these days. I don’t eat sweets at all. So, it’s good. I would say that it should become very expensive. (Sugar) should only be available at cheap rates at government fair-price shops for children…The elderly should not be given sugar at all. The doctors do not consider sugar consumption after 40 years of age good.”

“If you are over 40, you can eat jaggery once in a while, but avoid sugar completely,” he said. 

M.P. Congress president Jitu Patwari, however, termed the remarks “an insult” to the poor and the middle class people. 

Claiming that the BJP leaders had in past promised sugar at ₹13/kg, Mr. Patwari said, “Those who came into power with slogans [to reduce inflation] are now advising people to consume less sugar. They are insulting and laughing at people after torturing them. The public will respond to their laughter in the coming elections.”

Amid criticism over the prices, the Union Government has said it is monitoring the situation closely while citing a various factors for the surge, including lower-than-expected domestic production, increased demand ahead of the festive season, weather-related damage to the sugar cane crop, tightening global sugar supplies, and speculation and hoarding by some sections of the industry.