New Delhi, Sep 30: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over his recent remarks comparing the political and religious symbolism associated with Lord Ram and Lord Shiva. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused the Congress of attempting to create divisions within Hindu society.
Reddy made the remarks at a media conclave in New Delhi on Monday while discussing the Congress’s political performance in northern and southern India. He claimed that the BJP had “stolen Lord Ram”, whom he associated with the North, while people in the South worship Lord Shiva. He also described Lord Shiva as the “God of the poor” and Lord Ram as the “God of the rich.”
Reddy also questioned the BJP’s frequent use of the slogan “Jai Shri Ram” and asked why BJP leaders do not similarly use “Har Har Mahadev”. He described the issue in terms of differences between what he called Dravidian and northern traditions.
BJP hits back at Revanth Reddy
Reacting to the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused the Congress of attempting to divide Hindu society by drawing a distinction between devotees of Lord Ram and Lord Shiva.
Trivedi went further and said that a person who claims to worship Lord Shiva while opposing Lord Ram would be comparable to Ravana, referring to his interpretation of the Ramcharitmanas. His remarks formed part of a wider BJP criticism of Reddy’s comments.
The BJP leader also alleged that Congress was trying to create a political divide between North and South India by linking different regions with different Hindu deities.
Congress defends Revanth Reddy
The Congress has defended Reddy’s remarks, saying that his comments were directed at the BJP’s political use of Lord Ram rather than against the religious beliefs of Hindus. Congress leaders said the Chief Minister was criticising what they described as the BJP’s use of religious symbolism in electoral politics.
The controversy has therefore developed into a broader political dispute over the use of religious symbols, regional identities and Hindu traditions in political discourse.
The exchange between the BJP and Congress has also brought renewed attention to the contrasting political narratives surrounding Lord Ram, Lord Shiva, Jai Shri Ram and Har Har Mahadev in contemporary Indian politics.
