Hardoi, July 24:  A statement made by the Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Women Development and Child Nutrition, Pratibha Shukla, has sparked a controversy. The Minister advised people that if tomatoes are expensive, they should grow them at home or stop eating them. "If tomatoes are expensive, people should grow them at home. If you stop eating tomatoes, the prices will inevitably come down. You can also eat lemon instead of tomato. If nobody is eating tomatoes, the prices will come down," she said. Couple Steal Truck Loaded With Tomato Belonging to a Farmer Claiming That His Vehicle Brushed Against Their Car, Held (See Video and Pics).

Pratibha Shukla Says, ‘If You Stop Eating Tomatoes, Prices Will Come Down’

Citing an example of the nutrition garden in Asahi village, the Uttar Pradesh Minister said that there is a solution to this inflation -- plant tomatoes at home.  "We have made a nutrition garden in Asahi village, the women in the village have made a nutrition garden, and tomatoes can also be planted in it. There is a solution to this inflation, this is not new, tomatoes are expensive all the time. If you do not eat tomatoes then use lemon, whatever is more expensive, discard it, it will automatically become cheaper," she said. Tomato Price Hike: NCCF, NAFED Directed to Sell Tomatoes for Rs 70 Per KG From July 20.

The Minister's statement created a controversy with people slamming her for 'insensitivity'. "Earlier Nirmala Sitharaman had asked people to stop eating onions and now Shukla asks us to stop eating tomatoes. This shows how insensitive women politicians can be," said Ravindra Gupta, a local businessman.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2023 08:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).