Congress stages sugar giveaway in Chandigarh to protest soaring inflation

Distributing sugar to residents on Wednesday, the Chandigarh Congress launched a protest against the Union government, arguing that the soaring cost of essential goods has stripped the sweetness from traditional festivals. The party framed the event as both a relief effort and a sharp critique of the Modi administration's economic record.

Editorial·August 26, 2026·reads: 1,331

Chandigarh Congress president HS Lucky spearheaded the initiative, claiming that the price of sugar has spiked from 25–30 rupees per kilogram to as much as 75 rupees. He pointed to the rising costs of onions, tomatoes, and pulses as evidence of mounting pressure on household budgets, accusing the central government of failing to deliver on long-standing promises to curb inflation. Lucky stated that the party plans to roll out similar distribution drives for other basic commodities across the city’s villages and sectors.

The protest follows intensified scrutiny from opposition leaders regarding the government’s ethanol-blending policy. Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal recently argued that the diversion of 25 lakh tonnes of sugarcane for ethanol production has directly fueled the current market volatility. While the Congress frames its campaign as a public outreach effort, the move serves as a pointed satirical jab at the Centre, which the party says has abandoned its responsibility to stabilize the cost of living.