BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover has once again drawn public attention, but this time for remarks made on social media during a sensitive moment when the country is already dealing with concerns over cooking gas supplies.

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Grover shared a post on X that sparked criticism online. The controversy emerged at a time when discussions about a possible Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) shortage were circulating in several parts of India.

Grover posted a screenshot of an email along with a caption that many social media users interpreted as mocking the Hindu deity Rama. The screenshot reportedly showed a message sent by Shri Ram School in Gurgaon to parents of its students.

According to a report published by Hindustan Times, the email was sent by the school administration to inform parents about a disruption affecting the school’s lunch and snack programme. The issue, the email stated, was related to the caterer’s difficulty in maintaining LPG supplies.

The message explained that the caterer working with the school was currently facing challenges in obtaining LPG cylinders. The school further noted that efforts were underway to secure the required supply. However, if the situation did not improve quickly, the catering service would not be able to provide lunch and snacks to students beginning Monday, March 16, 2026.

Parents were therefore requested to prepare alternative food arrangements for their children until the LPG supply issue could be resolved.

Sharing this email publicly, Grover added a caption that triggered widespread criticism. Referring to the name of the school, which is dedicated to Lord Shri Ram, Grover wrote:

“Ok – shortage must be real! Irony: Shri Ram ke paas bhi cylinder nahi hai,”

The remark quickly circulated across social media platforms, where many users debated whether the comment was inappropriate given the religious reference and the ongoing supply concerns.

The backdrop to this situation lies in wider global supply disruptions. India’s LPG supply chain is closely linked to international trade routes, particularly shipments moving through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important maritime corridors for energy transportation.

More than 85 percent of India’s LPG imports travel through this route, making the country vulnerable to any disturbance in the region. Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have slowed shipping movement through the strait, creating delays and logistical challenges for several countries that rely on the passage for energy imports.

These disruptions have affected global trade flows and created uncertainty around the timely delivery of LPG shipments to India.

For more background on the strategic importance of the route, readers can refer to analysis on the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which explains how the Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of the world’s petroleum and gas shipments.

Government Addresses LPG Supply Concerns

As concerns about LPG availability began spreading, officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stepped forward to address the situation and reassure the public.

Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the ministry, acknowledged the seriousness of the challenge while explaining the country’s dependence on imported LPG supplies.

She stated, “We import almost 60 % of our LPG and most of it, almost 90 % comes from the Strait of Hormuz. It's a difficult situation, but the government is making every effort to ensure that the supply to the domestic consumers is ensured.”

Her remarks highlighted the structural reliance on overseas sources and the logistical pressure caused by disruptions along major shipping routes.

Sharma also addressed concerns regarding supply distribution across the country. She explained that large-scale deliveries are continuing and that panic among consumers could make the situation appear worse than it actually is.

She further added, “We deliver almost 50 lakh cylinders on a daily basis. On the distribution side, no dry out has been reported. But there is a manifold increase in bookings because of the panic. We urge the citizens to avoid panic booking...State governments have been requested to identify the list of beneficiaries so that the delivery of the cylinder, commercial cylinder, can be made on a priority basis.”

Officials say that coordination with state governments is underway to ensure that essential sectors receive cylinders without disruption.

Wedding Catering Costs in Delhi May Rise by 10–20 Percent

The LPG supply uncertainty has also begun affecting industries that depend heavily on commercial gas cylinders. One such sector is the wedding and catering industry in the Delhi National Capital Region, which is famous for its elaborate wedding feasts.

Large wedding celebrations in Delhi-NCR often feature extensive food preparations. Massive cauldrons of biryani simmer for hours, and live cooking stations serve fresh dishes throughout the event. These operations rely heavily on a steady and uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders.

With supplies now showing signs of disruption, wedding planners and caterers are closely watching the situation.

Industry professionals have warned that if supply constraints continue and the price of commercial cylinders keeps rising, catering costs at weddings could increase significantly. Estimates suggest that overall catering expenses may rise by around 10 to 20 percent.

The concern has emerged as restaurants and commercial kitchens in several parts of the city report irregular LPG deliveries. Vendors responsible for large-scale wedding arrangements are therefore monitoring the supply chain carefully ahead of upcoming ceremonies.

Mohsin Khan, a wedding planner associated with Vivah Luxury Weddings, explained that the industry depends heavily on a stable supply of commercial cylinders. According to him, the present uncertainty is already creating anxiety among vendors who manage large wedding events.

Refineries Operating Beyond Capacity, Says Oil Minister

Amid the growing public discussion, India’s oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri also addressed concerns about fuel availability and energy supplies.

He emphasized that India’s refineries are functioning at extremely high levels of capacity utilisation to maintain stable fuel availability across the country.

He stated, “In several cases, they are exceeding 100%. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation, turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is fully assured.”

The minister also highlighted the diversification strategy adopted by India over the years to reduce excessive reliance on any single supply route or region.

He further explained, “Non Hormuz sourcing has risen to approximately 70 % of crude imports, up from 55 % before the conflict began. India's sources grew from 40 countries as against 27 in 2006 and 2007. This structural diversification built through sustained policy over successive years has given us options that other nations find themselves without. The refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation. In several cases, they are exceeding 100%. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation, turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is fully assured. Retail outlets across the country are stocked and supply chains for these products are functioning normally.”

His remarks were aimed at reassuring the public that while LPG supply chains may face pressure due to global disruptions, India’s broader fuel infrastructure remains stable and operational.

Experts say that the coming weeks will be important in determining whether shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz ease or continue, as this will influence LPG supply patterns across India.