Bihar Minister’s remark on impact of sugar price rise invites criticism
Bihar Minister Shrawan Kumar faced backlash after suggesting that rising sugar prices are not a concern because many people suffer from diabetes. Opposition leaders and critics have condemned the remarks as insensitive to the economic struggles of common citizens facing inflation.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the political sensitivity surrounding food inflation and the potential for public relations crises when officials dismiss economic hardships.
A Bihar Cabinet Minister has gone viral on social media with his comments on rising sugar prices across the country. Bihar Rural Development Department Minister Shrawan Kumar, an MLA of the Janata Dal (United) told media persons on Friday (August 21, 2026) that “everyone has diabetes these days, so sugar price rise will not matter much”, a remark that raised eyebrows. The price of sugar has gone up from ₹48-50 last week to ₹65-68 on Friday.
“Due to increasing cases of diabetic patients, people are not taking sweets. Everyone is suffering from diabetes. I don’t think the price rise of sugar will make much difference for people...they take very less sweets these days,” Mr. Kumar, who also holds the Information and Public Relations portfolio in the BJP-led NDA government told media in his Assembly constituency of Nalanda.
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