Global Hunger Index: What Smriti Irani said that led to controversy? Why Opposition is attacking her?

The opposition is attacking Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani over a statement by her on the latest report of the Global Hunger Index.

As per the report unveiled on October 12, the hunger situation in India has reached a critical level. India currently occupies the 111th spot out of 125 countries listed, compared to its 107th position in the previous year.

During a speech at an event organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in Hyderabad on Friday, Union Minister Smriti Irani expressed her reservations about indices like the 'Global Hunger Index,' contending that they fail to portray an accurate image of India. She suggested that many people view such indices as lacking credibility.

Smriti Irani dismissed the Global Hunger Index by questioning its methodology, arguing that it involves surveying only a small number of individuals out of India's population of 1.4 billion and asking them if they are hungry. She went on to highlight that the index indicated that Pakistan was performing better than India, which she found hard to believe.

Moreover, she used a personal example to support her argument, stating that she often starts her day at 4 a.m. and doesn't get a chance to eat until 10 a.m. If she were to receive a call from those conducting the survey and they inquired if she was hungry, she humorously affirmed that she would likely respond in the affirmative.

Opposition says Irani's statement is insensitive

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinet has called Smriti Irani's statement insensitive.

She said, "I don't know whether it is your ignorance or insensitivity that you are speaking so lightly on a sensitive issue like hunger. Being the Minister of Women and Child Development of this country, this is a very worrying thing."

Shrinate said that the Global Hunger Index is based on four parameters like under-nutrition, child wasting, child stunting and child mortality, which are part of the UN Sustainable Goals, which the Government of India is committed to fulfill.

She said, "You are mocking those people who survive by eating less than one loaf of bread at night due to poverty, deprivation and hunger. You should feel ashamed."

Rashtriya Janata Dal President Lalu Prasad Yadav says that due to the anti-poor policies of the BJP government, India has slipped from 63rd place to 111th place in the hunger index in 10 years. Now the Modi government at the Center will habitually call the report and index false and flawed instead of understanding and accepting the report and improving its policies.

Rashtriya Lok Dal President Jayant Chaudhary has also reacted to Smriti Irani's statement. He wrote on social media platform.

Chaudhary wrote that Smriti Irani will not be shown as hungry or malnourished in this survey.