“Appalling… Embarrassment..”: Congress On Minister Smriti Irani’s Hunger Index Claims (image-twitter/supriyashrinate)

The Congress party on Friday lashed out on Union Minister Smriti Irani for her comment dismissing the credibility of the Global Hunger Index. The Opposition accused the BJP leader for her ignorance and insensitivity.

While speaking at a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) conference in Hyderabad on Friday, Smriti Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development claimed that the annual Global Hunger Index report is prepared by calling up people and asking them if they are hungry.

“They make the index, here in India, by calling 3,000 people out of 140 crore people and asking them if they are hungry. That index is saying Pakistan is doing better than India, can you imagine?” she said.

“I don’t know what’s more shameful- your level of ignorance or your insensitivity at display here?” Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said on X against Smriti”s remark.

She pointed out that index is based on indicators like undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality. She then added, “You are the Women and Child Development Minister in the Government of India – it’s appalling to hear you. Frankly, you are an embarrassment!”.

According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, India ranked at 111 out of the 125 countries with a score of 28.7, while Pakistan ranked at 102 in the index, with a score of 26.6.

Shrinate asked Irani to not ‘make a mockery of hunger’. She then reminded her that she is a very powerful and entitled women and a minister in the government of India. “There are enough and more meals available on flights you board and the places of visit,” she wrote on X.

Shiva Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also slammed Union Minister’s remark and wrote on her official handle X, “Hardly having the time to eat = Hardly having food to eat. If arrogance had a face, it would be Mantriji”.

Hardly having the time to eat= Hardly having food to eat
If arrogance had a face, it would be Mantriji. pic.twitter.com/QdmzqSYszX

— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) October 20, 2023

Union Minister Smriti Irani made this controversial comment while speaking at an FICCI event on ‘Future Role of Women in India’ at a meeting at Taj Deccan in Hyderabad.