The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday criticised Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over his recent remarks on Lord Ram and Lord Shiva. BJP leaders accused Reddy and the Congress of attempting to create divisions within Hindu society for political purposes.What Did Revanth Reddy Say About Lord Ram and Lord Shiva?Revanth Reddy made the remarks while speaking at a media event in New Delhi on Monday. He contrasted the political and cultural references associated with Lord Ram and Lord Shiva while discussing the Congress’ electoral position in northern and southern India.Reddy said that Congress has performed better in southern states, while the BJP has gained greater support in northern states. He also said the BJP had “stolen” Lord Ram as a political symbol and questioned why BJP leaders frequently use “Jai Shri Ram” rather than “Har Har Mahadev.”Why Did the BJP Criticise Revanth Reddy?The BJP strongly objected to Reddy’s remarks, particularly his comparison of Lord Ram and Lord Shiva with rich and poor sections of society. BJP leaders said the comments attempted to create a political distinction between the two Hindu deities and between northern and southern India.Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar accused Reddy of creating political divisions between Lord Ram and Lord Shiva. Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao also criticised the remarks and demanded an apology from the Telangana Chief Minister. What Was Revanth Reddy’s ‘Rich and Poor’ Remark?During his remarks, Reddy described Lord Shiva as the “God of the poor” and Lord Ram as the “God of the rich”. He also described the BJP as a party representing wealthy sections, linking his argument to the political use of religious symbols.The comments triggered a political controversy, with BJP leaders saying that Hindu religious figures should not be presented through a North-South or rich-poor political framework. Reports said the BJP viewed the remarks as an attempt to divide Hindu society for political gains.How Has Congress Responded to the BJP’s Criticism?Congress leaders have defended Reddy’s remarks and said his comments were directed at the BJP’s political use of Lord Ram rather than against either Lord Ram or Lord Shiva. Telangana Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud said both deities are respected and worshipped, while arguing that the BJP should not claim ownership of Lord Ram for electoral politics. The controversy has therefore developed into a political dispute over religion, regional identity and the use of religious symbols in electoral politics. BJP leaders have demanded clarification and an apology, while Congress leaders have defended the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments.The issue comes amid continuing political disagreements between the BJP and Congress over the role of religion and identity in Indian politics. The latest exchange has also brought the North-South and Aryan-Dravidian framing used in Reddy’s remarks into the political debate.
