As opposition parties criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent austerity appeals, particularly regarding fuel and gold consumption, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has defended him by referencing historical precedents. Modi's appeal, made in light of the US-Iran conflict's impact on India, included calls for reduced fuel use and a year-long halt on gold purchases. In response, BJP sources recalled former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's 1962 campaign urging citizens to donate gold during the war with China, emphasizing the importance of national solidarity during crises. They also mentioned the Gold Control Act of 1962, which imposed severe restrictions on gold ownership. Additionally, BJP leaders pointed to past appeals by Congress leaders, such as Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri, who urged citizens to skip meals during food shortages. Former PM Manmohan Singh's remarks on the challenges of increasing fuel subsidies were also cited, reinforcing the BJP's stance that austerity measures have historical significance.