Bengaluru, May 11 -- BJP MP and former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar asserted that gold is "not a necessity of life" while backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for austerity amid the global economic uncertainty.
Defending the Prime Minister's remarks, Shettar said countries across the world were facing crises linked to fuel prices, foreign exchange reserves and economic pressures, making it important for citizens to avoid unnecessary spending and travel.
"Unless it is necessary to go somewhere, people should avoid travelling by cars, buses and two-wheelers. If we stop unnecessary travel, there will definitely be savings in petrol and diesel," he said.
The sharpest part of his remarks, however, came on gold purchases ...