‘Sugar Should Become Expensive’: BJP’s Kailash Vijayvargiya’s Remark Sparks Row Amid Price Rise (Video)
BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya sparked controversy by saying sugar should become expensive and that people above 40 should avoid it entirely, drawing sharp criticism from Congress amid rising retail sugar prices ahead of the festive season.
Madhya Pradesh minister and BJP MLA Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday said sugar should become expensive and advised people above 40 to avoid consuming it altogether, triggering sharp criticism from opposition parties amid rising sugar prices ahead of the festive season. Speaking to reporters in Indore, Vijayvargiya said sugar should ideally be sold cheaply only through government fair-price shops meant for children, while elderly people should stay away from it completely.
What Did Vijayvargiya Say
"I say that (sugar) 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 BJP leader said. Vijayvargiya, who claimed he does not eat sweets himself, also said that 90% of people no longer like sweets. He added that doctors, particularly those practising Ayurveda, did not consider sugar consumption advisable for people above 40. "If you are over 40, you can eat jaggery once in a while, but avoid sugar completely," he said. Sugar Price Hike: Government Says Ethanol Not Behind Rise, Announces 10 LMT Duty-Free Imports.
BJP’s Kailash Vijayvargiya Says ‘Sugar Should Become Expensive’
VIDEO | Indore: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, on rising sugar price, says, "A day before yesterday, it (sugar) was priced at Rs 70, and now it has come down to Rs 60. It will reduce further. Anyway, 90 per cent people nowadays don't like consuming sweets. I don't… pic.twitter.com/tMKJKFBCgH
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 26, 2026
Congress Slams BJP Over Remarks
The comments drew a sharp response from Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari, who accused BJP leaders of making light of the concerns of people facing inflation. Patwari said BJP leaders had come to power promising to control inflation but were instead "insulting and ridiculing" poor and middle-class families with such statements. "The country is watching the BJP leaders. People will give a befitting reply to their laughter in the upcoming elections. Then we will see whether they retain their smiles or shed tears," he warned. Sugar Price Hike: Govt Allows Duty-Free Import of 10 Lakh Tonnes, Imposes Stock Limits.
Sugar Prices Continue To Rise
Meanwhile, retail sugar prices rose for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, according to government data. The all-India average retail price increased to INR 65.05 per kg on August 26 from INR 63.97 per kg a day earlier, a rise of more than INR 1 per kg. The increase came despite ex-mill sugar prices falling by nearly 20% following the government's decision to allow imports of 10 lakh tonnes of raw sugar.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2026 11:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
