Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have launched a fierce political offensive against Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accusing him of making derogatory comments about Hinduism. The controversy has triggered protests, including the burning of the Chief Minister's effigy outside the BJP state office in Hyderabad.
Protests Erupt, State-Wide Agitation Called
The political firestorm began after CM Revanth Reddy's speech at a Congress executive meeting. In response, State BJP president N Ramchander Rao called for protests across Telangana on December 3, labeling the CM's statements as "anti-Hindu." An early demonstration was staged on Tuesday afternoon, where a group of BJP workers gathered at the party headquarters, raised slogans, and set an effigy of Revanth Reddy on fire.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader from Telangana, Kishan Reddy, claimed the Chief Minister stated during the Jubilee Hills bypoll campaign that "Congress means Muslims and Muslims mean Congress." He accused Reddy of making "arrogant comments against Hindus and Hindu gods and goddesses," attributing this to the Congress's "friendship with the AIMIM." Kishan Reddy issued a rallying cry, stating, "The time has come for Hindus to unite in Telangana also. The time has come to show the power of Hindus to Revanth Reddy and Congress party." He urged voters to use their electoral power to remove the "arrogance" of the Congress.
National BJP Figures Condemn CM's Statements
The remarks have drawn sharp reactions from the BJP's national leadership. Union Minister Giriraj Singh accused the Congress of running "a campaign against Hindus" and suggested the party rename itself the "Muslim League Congress Party." He also criticized Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani, suggesting he should go to an Islamic country.
Echoing the sentiment, Union Minister of State for Home, Sanjay Kumar, said the BJP's warning during the bypoll that Hindus would "lose their self-respect" under Congress or BRS rule had been "proven true." He appealed for Hindu unity and reiterated that the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, follows the philosophy of "sab ka saath, sab ka vikas, sab ka vishwas" (support of all, development for all, trust of all).
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged a convergence between the Congress and Maulana Madani's voice, calling the language used by the Telangana CM for Hindu deities "not only objectionable but hateful."
Revanth Reddy's Comments and the Demand for Apology
At the heart of the controversy are CM Revanth Reddy's comments where he defended the internal diversity of the Congress party by drawing an analogy with the diverse practices within Hinduism. He pointed out the multitude of deities in the Hindu faith, each catering to different devotees and practices, to argue that a similar diversity of thought exists within his party. He urged Congress leaders to shed personal grievances and work cohesively.
However, these analogies have been interpreted as disrespectful by the BJP and allied groups. TTD Board Member Bhanuprakash Reddy demanded a public apology from the Chief Minister, calling the statements "an affront to the sentiments of millions of Hindus" and warning of consequences for criticizing long-standing worship traditions.
The escalating row underscores the heightened political tensions in Telangana, with the BJP positioning itself as the sole defender of Hindu interests against the ruling Congress, setting the stage for a protracted ideological battle in the state.
