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**Congress Sparks Controversy with Post on Bidis and Bihar Following GST Reduction**
**New Delhi, India** – The Congress party has ignited controversy with a now-deleted social media post that appeared to downplay the negative health impacts of bidis, a type of inexpensive cigarette popular in India. The post, shared on X (formerly Twitter), linked the reduction in GST (Goods and Services Tax) on bidis to the fact that both “Bidis” and “Bihar” start with the letter “B,” implying that the product should no longer be considered a “sin.”
The since-deleted post stated, “Bidis and Bihar start with B and cannot be considered a sin anymore,” following the announcement of a GST cut on the tobacco product.
The post quickly drew criticism, with many accusing the Congress of being insensitive to the health risks associated with tobacco use, especially in a state like Bihar, where bidi consumption is widespread. Critics argued that linking the product to a state and implying it’s no longer a “sin” trivializes the serious health consequences of smoking. The party has not yet issued a statement explaining the post or the reasoning behind its deletion. The incident raises questions about the Congress party’s stance on tobacco control and its understanding of public health concerns.
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