“Revanth Reddy Has Converted Himself Into Revanthuddin”: Telangana BJP Chief Demands Apology Over CM’s Ram-Shiva Remarks

Revanth Reddy’s Ram-Shiva Remarks Spark Political Row

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s remarks comparing Lord Ram and Lord Shiva have triggered a political controversy, with the BJP demanding an apology from the Congress leader.

Reddy made the comments while speaking at an event in Delhi. He questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders frequently use the slogan “Jai Shri Ram” but do not similarly use “Har Har Mahadev”. He also contrasted the religious and political symbolism associated with Lord Ram and Lord Shiva.

Reddy Calls Shiva the God of the Poor and Ram the God of the Rich

According to reports, Reddy said that Lord Shiva was the “God of the poor” while describing Lord Ram as the “God of the rich”. He also alleged that the BJP had politically appropriated the image of Lord Ram.

Reddy further referred to differences between northern and southern India, saying that the south identifies with Dravidian culture and worship of Shiva, while making a comparison with the BJP’s political use of Lord Ram in northern India.

Telangana BJP Chief Demands Apology

Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao strongly criticised Reddy’s remarks and demanded a public apology.

Rao argued that Hindus do not distinguish between Lord Ram and Lord Shiva and accused the Chief Minister of attempting to create divisions within the Hindu community. He also used the term “Revanthuddin” while attacking Reddy’s remarks and alleged that the Congress was pursuing a divisive political strategy. These are Rao’s political allegations and do not constitute an established finding.

BJP Leaders Accuse Reddy of Creating Religious Divisions

Other BJP leaders also criticised the Telangana Chief Minister.

Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay Kumar accused Reddy of creating political boundaries between Lord Ram and Lord Shiva. He referred to religious sites in Telangana, including Vemulawada and Bhadrachalam, while arguing against dividing the two deities along regional lines.

BJP leader PVN Madhav also criticised the comments, saying that Lord Ram is revered across India and questioning Reddy’s attempt to associate the two deities with separate regional identities.

Congress Defends Revanth Reddy

The Congress has defended the Telangana Chief Minister following the BJP’s criticism.

The party said Reddy’s remarks were directed at what Congress describes as the BJP’s politicisation of Lord Ram, rather than being an attack on religious beliefs. Congress maintained that the comments should be understood in the context of political debate over the use of religious symbolism.

Controversy Over Religious Symbolism in Politics

The dispute has brought religious symbolism in electoral politics back into focus.

Reddy’s remarks linked the slogans “Jai Shri Ram” and “Har Har Mahadev” with broader political and regional identities. The BJP has rejected that framing and argued that both deities are worshipped across India without the regional or economic distinctions suggested by the Chief Minister.

BJP Demands Public Apology

N Ramchander Rao has called on Reddy to withdraw his remarks and apologise to Hindus.

The BJP has characterised the comments as inappropriate and divisive, while the Congress has maintained that Reddy was criticising the political use of religious imagery by the BJP. The competing interpretations have intensified political exchanges between the two parties in Telangana.

Key Takeaways

• Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy made remarks contrasting Lord Ram and Lord Shiva.

• Reddy described Lord Shiva as representing the poor and Lord Ram as representing the rich.

• He also questioned the BJP’s frequent use of “Jai Shri Ram”.

• Telangana BJP chief N Ramchander Rao criticised the remarks and demanded an apology.

• Rao used the term “Revanthuddin” while attacking Reddy’s comments.

• BJP leaders accused Reddy of creating religious and regional divisions.

• Congress defended Reddy, saying his remarks were directed at the BJP’s alleged politicisation of Lord Ram.