New Delhi, May 11 -- A fierce political row has broken out following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "seven appeals" to the nation, aimed at insulating the Indian economy from the escalating West Asia crisis. While the BJP hails the move as a masterstroke of "economic self-defence," the Opposition has dismissed the directives as a "repackaged admission of economic failure."

This comes a day after PM Modi urged Indians to reduce fuel consumption, avoid foreign travel, postpone gold purchases, embrace work from home, use public transport, consume less edible oil, and shift towards natural farming.

The Opposition, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, was quick to sharpen its knives. Gandhi characterised the appeals not as moral guidance, bu...