India, May 13 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal to cut fuel consumption and adopt restraint has sparked discussions among citizens about everyday responsibility and the larger energy challenge ahead. But even as the message travels through public discussions and debates, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Madhya Pradesh seemed to miss the memo, entirely-arriving in flashy, fuel-guzzling convoy.

PM Modi had on Sunday advised citizens to adopt a clutch of austerity measures, including car pooling, using public transport, working from home, buying less gold and limiting foreign travel among other measures.

A shareable image titled "Modi 7 Appeals" with key points has been circulating through government and aligned soc...