NEW DELHI — Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan has urged the government to implement measures safeguarding ordinary Indians from rising inflation, particularly as geopolitical tensions in West Asia threaten to push energy prices higher. His statement comes in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal to citizens to adopt energy-saving practices throughout the coming year.
According to reports, Haasan stressed that fulfilling one's national responsibility should not be confined by partisan considerations, suggesting that economic protection of vulnerable citizens requires consensus across the political spectrum. The intervention highlights growing concerns among opposition voices about the potential cascading effects of international crises on India's domestic economy.
India imports approximately 85 percent of its crude oil requirements, making it particularly susceptible to price volatility in global energy markets. Past episodes of Middle Eastern instability have translated into sharp increases in petrol and diesel prices domestically, triggering broader inflationary pressures that disproportionately affect lower and middle-income households. The current tensions in the region have already prompted concerns among economists about a potential spike in transportation and manufacturing costs.
The Prime Minister's call for energy conservation forms part of the government's strategy to reduce India's dependence on imported fossil fuels while meeting climate commitments. However, critics argue that individual conservation measures must be complemented by structural interventions to insulate citizens from external price shocks.