The rising fuel prices in the country has been a major bone of contention between our citizens and the central government.
Prices have been rising at an alarming rate, leading to a massive strain on the wallets of a large part of the population.
Recently, the BJP tweeted a graph trying to explain away our skyrocketing fuel prices. It seemed they were trying to compare the percentage increase in fuel prices in the country. However, their message was inherently flawed.
Truth of hike in petrol prices! pic.twitter.com/hES7murfIL
— BJP (@BJP4India) September 10, 2018
Now, straight off the bat, people were quick to point out some glaring issues in the BJP’s logic.
For one, between 2004 and 2009, there was an approximately 7-rupee hike in retail prices.
Between 2014 and 2018 however, there was a 9-rupee hike in prices. You can’t compare percentages when the values themselves have been fluctuating.
Many were also quick to post an ‘amended’ graph, that included the cost of crude oil.
There! Fixed it for you @BJP4India#MehangiPadiModiSarkar pic.twitter.com/kbKBjUi0M7
— Congress (@INCIndia) September 10, 2018
As you can see, crude oil prices jumped from $58 to $107 between 2009 and 2014. However, crude oil prices dropped to $71 between 2014 and 2018, but the price in India is still Rs. 80.73.
Predictably, people were more than a little surprised at such a huge gaffe, and it showed.
Where is logic in this graph? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OCcWULPIG6
— Irony Of India (@IronyOfIndia_) September 10, 2018
I attended one class of IT-CELL pic.twitter.com/r1rglVdPPK
— Nafrat Chodo , Bharat Jodo (@Kashif_DXB_KNN) September 10, 2018
When you get a KT & try to explain it to your parents 😂
— Nitin Dhuppad (@nitin_cul) September 10, 2018
Pass the joint, mamu
— Sarfaraz (@BabaGlocal) September 10, 2018
3 out of 2 people have trouble with numbers.#ModiMaths https://t.co/XZCNzkqNTY
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) September 10, 2018
…
Meanwhile, the BJP themselves haven’t commented on the situation, or on the issue of rising petrol prices as a whole.