Indian Govt Asked Citizens to Minimize Expenses, Including Controlled Gas and Cooking Oil Use, Cut Foreign Trips, and to Work from Home

For the first time since India’s independence in 1947, the Central Government has urged citizens to minimize personal expenses amid what it described as a “global crisis.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the public to reduce fuel and oil consumption, avoid unnecessary foreign travel, and limit gold purchases as part of a broader call for economic discipline and self-reliance.

According to motivational posts shared by the Government of India, these measures are being promoted as a “national duty” during challenging global conditions.

The appeal has triggered sharp criticism from the opposition. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi reacted strongly, saying: “Modi ji demanded sacrifices from the public yesterday — don’t buy gold, don’t go abroad, use less petrol, cut down on fertilizer and cooking oil, take the metro, work from home. These aren’t sermons — these are proofs of failure. In 12 years, he has brought the country to such a stage that the public is being told what to buy, what not to buy, where to go, and where not to go. Every time, they shift the responsibility onto the people so they can escape accountability themselves. Running the country is no longer within the reach of a compromised PM.”
In a social media post, the Government of India stated: “PM Narendra Modi gave seven important appeals to strengthen India during challenging global times: prioritize work from home wherever possible, reduce fuel consumption, avoid foreign travel for a year, adopt Swadeshi products, cut down cooking oil usage, move towards natural farming, and reduce unnecessary gold purchases. A collective spirit of responsibility can make India stronger and more self-reliant.”

However, Modi’s proposal received heavy criticism on social media, with some users asking why Modi is traveling abroad while his Ministers and MPs waste fuel every day on their convoys.