'They Don't Really Care About Us': Opposition Quotes Michael Jackson Song To Attack BJP Over Inflation

The Congress and AAP leaders are responding to a recent SBI Life Insurance survey that said 43% of its consumers now consider inflation as their crucial concern in the current economic climate.

The Opposition is once again targetting the Modi government over inflation as it invokes the iconic Michael Jackson song, "They Don't Really Care About Us," to criticise the ruling BJP over the Centre's handling of soaring prices. The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders are responding to a recent State Bank of India (SBI) Life Insurance survey that said 43% of its consumers now consider inflation as their crucial concern in the current economic climate.

AAP leader and suspended MP Raghav Chadha stated, "In December 2022, I brought up the pressing matter of inflation in the parliament. 10 months on, the impact of rising inflation on people's lives has become more pronounced, as underscored by the results of a recent survey."

"BJP government's apathy reminds one of Michael Jackson's 'they don't really care about us.'," he remarked.

The Opposition is citing survey results by SBI Life Insurance which also revealed that "a staggering 47% of consumers had surrendered or not renewed their policies within the last five years."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to X to hit out at the Modi government saying: "There is no limit to looting; inflation has stolen life insurance! The soaring cost of living has made it increasingly challenging for ordinary families to make ends meet due to the Modi government's profit-oriented policies. As a stark result of devastating inflation, even essential life insurance policies have become an unaffordable luxury for many."

"Shockingly, over the past five years, a staggering 47% of the population has had to surrender their life insurance policies," he stated, emphatically asserting that "If this is the condition of the people's pockets, such 'Amrit Kaal' is not needed!"

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also highlighted the gravity of the situation stating, "Inflation has spiraled out of control. Ordinary citizens are struggling with rising costs across the board, from basic necessities to education and healthcare. Even the most basic items, from medicine to education, have become unaffordable."

"The brunt of this relentless inflation is being borne by the common and underprivileged citizens, as their incomes remain stagnant. In Prime Minister Modi's 'amrit kal' (golden era), it appears that only a select few of his wealthy friends are prospering, while the rest of the nation grapples with the consequences," he claimed.

The grand old party's official handle also stressed that "the prevailing uncontrolled inflation, a byproduct of the Modi government's ineptitude, has led to a situation where people cannot even afford vital services such as 'life insurance.'"

"By showing the dream of 'Acche Din', PM Modi has put the future of his own countrymen at stake. As the chorus of voices against inflation grows louder, millions of Indians are collectively asking: "Modi Ji, is this your promised 'amritkal'?" the post reads.

The BJP is yet to respond to the allegations levelled by the principal Opposition party in Parliament which is citing the Financial Immunity Study 3.0 by SBI Life Insurance to mount its attack on the Modi government.

Financial Immunity Study 3.0 & Retail Inflation

SBI Life Insurance has released the third edition of the Financial Immunity Study, which has highlighted that 43% of respondents believe rising prices of daily essentials are their chief concern. This section of respondents perceives inflation as the primary cause of their financial woes in the current economic climate.

The survey, conducted in June 2023, involved 5,000 respondents across 41 cities in India. It revealed that 36% of respondents are worried about increasing medical costs,35% about the rising cost of education, 27% about a possible recession and its impact, 24% poor mental, and 24% physical health status, besides job loss, and the inadequacy of life/health insurance.

"On average, 52% of the annual income of Indian consumer households is allocated towards strengthening their financial immunity. This allocation is ratioed with 17% towards savings, 16% towards financial assets,11% towards life insurance, and 8% towards health insurance policies," the Financial Immunity Study 3.0 stated.

Notably, Retail inflation in July jumped to 7.44% from 4.87% in June, mainly due to higher food prices. However, in August the retail inflation figure eased to 6.83% as vegetable prices came down compared to July, data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) stated on Tuesday.