Opposition figures from all political parties attacked the Narendra Modi administration over the recently released Global Hunger Index, on Saturday. India has the highest child mortality rate in the world, falling six places in the last year to rank 107 out of 121 nations. The nation was ranked 94th in 2020 and 101st in 2021.
India is ranked lower than African nations like Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Rwanda. Nepal, Bangladesh, and even Pakistan are ranked higher among its neighbours, at 81, 84, and 99 respectively.
"When will the PM address real issues like malnutrition, hunger, and stunting and wasting among children? 22.4 crore people in India are considered undernourished. India's rank in the Global Hunger Index is near the bottom -- 107 out of 121 countries. Our score has worsened since 2014 in the eight years of the Modi government...Hindutva, imposing HIndi and spreading Hate are not the antidote to Hunger," said Congress leader P Chidambaram in a series of tweets.
"BJP gives speeches about making India a $5 trillion economy. But we are also at number 107 on the Hunger index….106 countries - including Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh - are better than us in providing bread twice a day. India cannot become number one without providing good education to every child," asserted Delhi Education Minister and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia.
"Dangerous, sharp slide of India on global hunger index since 2014. Modi government is disastrous for India. Low food stocks barely over minimum buffer, plus rising prices. Government must take responsibility for this era of darkness India has been brought to in 8.5 years. Enough of PR, spin and lies," added CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury.
"For all its drum beating about ‘New India’, we are far behind Nepal, Bangladesh & even Sri Lanka on the Global Hunger Index. Godi media will conveniently look away & instead focus on namaz, mandir & masjid issues. This is what BJP has brought the country to," said PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
