Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal urging Indians to conserve fuel, reduce non-essential spending — including on gold — and support the national economy amid global disruptions has drawn strong endorsements from ministers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who described the message as timely and deeply relevant.

Ministers Back the Call

Uttar Pradesh Minister Kailash Singh Rajput said the Prime Minister's appeal resonates strongly in the current global climate. "The Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi, is established as one of the world's greatest leaders. The appeal he has made to the people of India is truly very appropriate and meaningful…" he said, backing the call for collective responsibility.

Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav also lauded the initiative, drawing a parallel with the COVID-19 period. "The appeal made by the Prime Minister is highly commendable, considering the current crisis. This is not the first time he has made such an appeal. During the COVID-19 period as well, the Prime Minister appealed to the people, and the citizens accepted and followed it wholeheartedly. The country overcame that difficult phase together…" he said.

What Modi Said at Secunderabad

The reactions followed Modi's address at a public meeting organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad on Sunday, where he urged citizens to help India navigate economic turbulence triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. He called for conserving fuel, using public transport, adopting work-from-home practices where feasible, avoiding non-essential purchases including gold, and cutting down on overseas travel to save foreign exchange.

"Since petrol and diesel have become extremely expensive across the world, it is our responsibility to save fuel and thereby save the foreign exchange spent on purchasing petrol and diesel," Modi said.

Key Behavioural Steps Urged

The Prime Minister outlined a set of practical steps for citizens: using metro systems and public transport, car-pooling when private travel is unavoidable, shifting goods transport to railways, and increasing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) wherever feasible. He also stressed that patriotism is not limited to sacrifice in extreme situations — it extends to responsible daily behaviour during national and global challenges.

Notably, the appeal to avoid gold purchases is a pointed economic signal. India is among the world's largest gold importers, and a reduction in discretionary gold buying directly eases pressure on the current account deficit and foreign exchange reserves.

Broader Economic Context

The appeal comes amid rising global fuel prices and supply chain disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, which have placed pressure on India's import bill and foreign exchange position. This is not the first time Modi has mobilised a public behavioural campaign during a national stress point — his COVID-19-era appeals, including the Janata Curfew, saw widespread citizen participation, a precedent both ministers cited in their endorsements.

Whether this latest appeal translates into measurable behavioural change at scale remains to be seen, but the political backing from key state governments signals a coordinated effort to amplify the message beyond the Centre.