Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy
Credit: PTI File Photo
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has come under fire from his political opponents for his alleged anti-Hindu comments after his spoke about the existence of multiple Hindu deities.
While addressing the executive meeting of the ruling Congress in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Revanth Reddy said the grand old party takes everyone along and it is home to people with different mindsets.
Drawing an analogy with the Hindu religion, the Chief Minister said there are many gods worshipped by devotees. "How many gods are there for Hindus? Three crores? There is Hanuman for those who are not married. There is another god for those who marry twice. There is one god for those who drink alcohol; there are people who offer alcohol and chicken to Yellamma, Pochamma, Maisamma..."
There are local deities where toddy and non-vegetarian food are served during certain events and there are gods worshipped by those who eat 'dal rice' (vegetarians), he said, according to news agency PTI.
"The Congress takes along all types of individuals. One says he will worship Lord Venkateswara, another says he will worship Hanuman. When we could not bring consensus on gods, I don't think we can have consensus on political leaders and DCC (District Congress Committee) presidents," he said.
The comments apparently came in response following reports of unease within the Congress over the appointment of new DCC chiefs.
Revanth Reddy's analogy, however, has not gone down well the Opposition in Telangana.
Senior BJP leaders, while condemning Revanth Reddy's comments, issued a call for Hindu unity across the State. State BJP president N Ramchander Rao has called for protests across Telangana on Wednesday against Revanth Reddy's comments.
In a statement on Tuesday, Union Minister Kishan Reddy said the Chief Minister, during the recent Jubilee Hills Assembly seat bypoll campaign, had said stated that "the Congress means Muslims and Muslims mean the Congress". The Chief Minister appears to be making "arrogant" comments against Hindus and Hindu gods and goddesses because of his friendship with the AIMIM, he said.
"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 the Congress party," said Kishan Reddy, Union Coal Minister.
Sanjay Kumar, Union Minister for State for Home, said the BJP had cautioned during the Jubilee Hills bypoll that Hindus would lose their self-respect if either the Congress or the BRS won the election. The BJP's caution turned out to be true following Revanth Reddy's remarks, he said. "Hindu society should think now whether they want to face insults by remaining divided or show their power by ensuring unity. BJP never insults other religions. BJP respects all religions," he said.
PVN Madhav, Andhra Pradesh BJP president, has demanded that Revanth Reddy tender an unconditional apology to the Hindu community for his “derogatory and insulting” remarks against Hindu deities.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Rakesh Reddy Anugula criticised the Chief Minister for his comments and alleged that “mocking Hindu deities has become a fashion for everyone”.
“It is unfortunate that the Chief Minister speaks in a manner that hurts the sentiments of crores of Hindus. Is he doing this to impress someone? He must apologies to the Hindu community,” he posted on X.
(With PTI inputs)