BJP Condemns Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Over Religious Remarks

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy sparked a political controversy during a media event in New Delhi by contrasting the religious and political identities of North and South India. Reddy described Lord Shiva as the "God of the poor" and Lord Ram as the "God of the rich," while questioning why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prioritize the slogan "Jai Shri Ram" over "Har Har Mahadev." He further characterized the BJP as having "stole Ram" and highlighted a divide between Dravidians in the south and Aryans in the north.

The BJP condemned the remarks, with National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accusing Reddy of attempting to divide Hindus for vote-bank politics under the instructions of Rahul Gandhi. Bhandari rejected the claim that BJP leaders avoid chanting "Har Har Mahadev," asserting that Prime Minister Modi uses both slogans. The BJP further criticized the Indian National Congress, labeling it a "modern Muslim League Congress" and citing its past opposition to the Somnath Temple and Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor.

Congress party leaders later defended the Chief Minister. Pradesh Congress Committee president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud stated that the remarks were intended to highlight regional inclusivity and challenge the political appropriation of faith. Goud argued that the comments addressed the BJP's exploitation of religious figures for electoral gain, specifically accusing the party of attempting to "own" Lord Rama to secure votes in upcoming elections.