BJP Defends Sugar Price Rise, Taking Potshot at Rahul Gandhi's Knowledge on Sugarcane; Shares Video
Amid rising sugar prices reaching INR 60-75 per kg, the BJP shared a viral video of an elderly man defending the cost and criticising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. While the opposition blames ethanol policies for inflation, the government cites production shortfalls. Scroll below to watch the viral video.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday, August 29, shared a video of an elderly man discussing the ground realities of sugarcane cultivation and pricing, while criticising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for commenting on rising sugar prices. The official BJP handle posted the clip with a caption stating that those who do not understand the "mathematics of sugarcane” should not lecture on sugar rates.
In the post, the party said an elderly "uncle" had given practical knowledge that dismantled what it called a false agenda on the issue. The video, lasting nearly two minutes, shows the man speaking to a reporter from DDN Bharat outdoors. ‘Sugar Should Become Expensive’: BJP’s Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Remark Sparks Row Amid Price Rise (Video).
BJP Shares Video Defending Sugar Price Rise
"गन्ने का गणित मालूम नहीं, और चले चीनी पर ज्ञान बांटने!"
चीनी के भाव का राग अलापने वाले राहुल गांधी को इस बुजुर्ग चाचा ने ऐसा जमीनी ज्ञान चखाया कि फर्जी एजेंडे का पूरी तरह गुड़-गोबर हो गया! pic.twitter.com/gwjF0DZzd0
— BJP (@BJP4India) August 29, 2026
Context of the Sugar Price Debate
Sugar prices in India have risen sharply in recent weeks ahead of the festive season. Retail rates moved from around INR 40-48 per kg earlier to levels reported between INR 60 and INR 75 per kg in some markets during August, according to government data and industry reports. Average all-India retail prices stood near INR 64 per kg around August 27-28, with some urban centres higher.
Congress leaders, including general secretary Randeep Surjewala, have accused the central government of failing to act on an anticipated shortfall. They alleged a production shortfall, diversion of sugarcane for ethanol under the E20 blending programme, delayed imports, and possible benefits to hoarders, estimating an additional consumer burden of around INR 36,000 crore during the August-November period. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier questioned low stocks and the ethanol policy.
The government has attributed the rise to lower-than-expected domestic production, weather-related crop damage, tighter global supplies, higher festive demand, and speculation or hoarding by some industry sections. It has permitted duty-free imports of up to 10 lakh tonnes of sugar, imposed stock limits, and taken steps against hoarding. Ex-mill prices have begun easing in recent days, with officials expecting retail relief to follow.
BJP’s Response Through the video
The BJP post frames the elderly man’s comments as a counter to opposition criticism, particularly targeting Rahul Gandhi's statements on the issue. The party has previously rejected claims that ethanol diversion is the main driver of the price rise, citing data that a large share of ethanol now comes from other feedstocks such as maize and rice, and pointing to production shortfalls and global factors. In its post on X (formerly Twitter), BJP wrote, "Doesn't know the math of sugarcane, yet goes around dispensing wisdom on sugar! Rahul Gandhi, who loves to drone on about the sentiments of sugar, got served such a dose of down-to-earth wisdom by this elderly uncle that his fake agenda turned into a complete mess of jaggery and cow dung!"
In the video, the elderly man is seen defending sugar price rise. The senior citizen strongly defended the government amid retail sugar prices crossing INR 60 per kilogram and dismissed rising sugar prices as "Opposition propaganda". "Chini mehengi ho gayi, kya farak pad gaya?" (What difference does it make if sugar got expensive?) the eldery man said. He also jokingly said that if sugar prices reached INR 5,000 per kg, it would benefit public health by reducing consumption. "Rahul Gandhi would have never gone to a sugar mill. He doesn't know how sugarcane is born", he said. Red Warning Labels on Packaged Food? FSSAI Proposes ‘High Sugar’, ‘High Salt’ Tags.
Opposition responses to the BJP post included criticism that such videos distract from farmers’ payments, Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) issues, and the overall impact on cane growers and consumers. Sugar remains a politically sensitive commodity in India because of its links to cane farmers in major producing states, mill finances, and household consumption during festivals. The latest exchange adds to the ongoing back-and-forth between the ruling party and the opposition over inflation and agricultural policy.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2026 06:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
