NEW DELHI — Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has urged the government to take decisive measures to protect ordinary citizens from the escalating burden of inflation, particularly as global energy prices remain volatile due to ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.
The Makkal Needhi Maiam founder's statement comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal to the nation to adopt energy conservation practices over the next twelve months. Haasan stressed that safeguarding the interests of the common citizen should be viewed as a national responsibility that rises above partisan considerations, according to reports.
India remains heavily dependent on imported crude oil, with approximately 85 percent of its petroleum requirements met through foreign sources. The geopolitical instability in West Asia has caused considerable anxiety among policymakers regarding potential price spikes that could further strain household budgets already grappling with elevated food and fuel costs.
The opposition leader's intervention reflects growing concerns across the political spectrum about the inflationary pressures facing Indian families. Energy conservation has emerged as a key policy priority for the government as it seeks to reduce the nation's vulnerability to external supply shocks while managing fiscal pressures from subsidies and welfare programmes.