Ahmad said such “unusual statements” vindicate the UPA government’s point that inflation is not only in India, it is in Europe and the US also. “But at the same time, it seems from such unusual statements that the ban on exports that we imposed on certain food items is hurting somewhere. It is true that the quality of our food has improved, which indicates that growth is percolating down to every section of our society. But India is a sovereign nation and nobody should lecture us on what we should eat and what we should not,” he added.

“The statement is not only unwarranted but is completely illogical. In fact, statements from the US on this issue, first by Rice and now by Bush, are indicative of their looking-down approach towards India that is progressing. It is absurd,” said SP leader in Lok Sabha, Ram Gopal Yadav, who also heads the Parliamentary standing committee on agriculture.

“There is price rise worldwide, in fact we are opposing the government here on this issue, but it is absurd to blame Indians for global surge in price. The main culprit is the food availability worldwide, which is failing to meet the demands,” said Yadav.