The recent statement by U.S. President G.W. Bush blaming India for the current global food crisis did not sit well with the South Asians living in Canada.

Bush attributed the rise in global food prices to the prosperity of the Indian middle class and the subsequent increase in food consumption.

His statement not only sparked angry reaction in India, but also generated resentment among Indo-Canadians.

Indian politicians have instead blamed the increased production of bio fuel in the U.S. for the problem that now threatens to drive 100 million worldwide to the brink of starvation.

In fact, the UN has also urged member countries to stop investing in bio fuel production in order to deal with the crisis, which has also resulted in food riots in many parts of the developing world.

Both Canada and the U.S. continue to give subsidies to their farmers to grow more bio fuel to meet the growing gas shortage. This has also effected hog farmers locally, as bio fuel production has increased the industrial use of corn previously used as feed.

The majority of Indian and Pakistani listeners condemned Bush on my live Radio India talk show this week.

Most callers agreed with the position of Indian politicians and described Bush’s statement as fundamentally unfair.

Though the increased consumption of food in India and elsewhere is one of the contributory factors to the present crisis, Bush cannot rightly — or in good conscience — blame the Indian middle class population for this.

After all, India can fulfill its own need by curbing the export of the food grain and doesn’t have to look to the U.S. for help.

However, the Indian administration should take care of its poor, who are now forced to cut down their already meagre daily meals. While rich Indian worshippers continue to offer food and milk to the deities, the poor continue to suffer. That’s also a shame.

Bush should admit that his administration is equally responsible for this mess, which the UN estimates requires $755 million in immediate emergency food funding.

President Bush’s comments only reflect the U.S.’s arrogance, as in the past too America has blamed others for everything from climate change and the oil crisis to war and suffering while never admitting its own complicity in these tragedies.

And yet the U.S. loves to call itself a leader and take charge — and credit — for the noble causes it adopts.

Bush, for instance, has said that the U.S. will lead the fight against world hunger for years to come with a funding announcement of $770 million in international food aid. No thanks Mr. Bush — the world can live without your hollow charity.