Can't stop people from buying gold, says Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday questioned the practicality of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel savings and postponement of gold purchases among other ‘austerity’ measures.

“Modi doesn’t say why gold prices have risen. He’s asking people to reduce petrol consumption, but doesn’t say why prices are hiked. Modi has to explain why people are facing trouble,” Shivakumar told reporters.

“How can you tell those planning marriages and munji (upanayana or sacred thread ceremony) not to buy gold?” Shivakumar asked. He recalled Modi’s appeals during the Covid-19 pandemic on lighting lamps. “Did it help in any way?” he wanted to know. 

Dismissing the prime minister’s advice as “impractical”, Shivakumar said people cannot be stopped from buying gold.

“Can we say no to people who want to buy a gold (mangalsutra) or a chain for weddings? Such things cannot be done. People purchase gold for such events, even if it means borrowing loans for it,” he said. 

Shivakumar said Modi should first ask the Union ministers and officers to switch to public transport. “Let this (austerity) start from states where the BJP is in power, and from saffron party leaders and workers,” he said.