CPI(M) leader slams Revanth’s Hitler remark, says he mixed Marvel with history

CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over his remarks linking HYDRAA to Hitler, accusing him of glorifying fascism and pursuing bulldozer politics. He also questioned the legality of anti-encroachment drives carried out by the Telangana government

New Delhi: Slamming Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over his remarks involving Hitler, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby on Monday said the Congress leader appears to “have mixed up Marvel Cinematic Universe storylines with history” and condemned the “veneration” displayed for the Nazi leader.

Baby also accused the Congress government led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of pursuing “bulldozer politics” in the state and further accused him of echoing “ideological fascinations of the Sangh Parivar”.

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The CPI(M) leader was responding to remarks made by Reddy at a recent event in Bengaluru where, while explaining the naming of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), the chief minister said he had drawn inspiration from Adolf Hitler and referred to “Hydra” as Hitler’s favourite word and the name of a team that could “assassinate anyone”.

“Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy appears to have mixed up Marvel Cinematic Universe storylines with history, but the veneration he displayed is unmistakeable,” Baby said.

“By hailing Adolf Hitler and his genocidal death squads and gleefully revelling in the destruction unleashed by his own enforcement agency, he is undoubtedly echoing the ideological fascinations of the Sangh Parivar, with which he has a history,” he added.

Baby also criticised demolition drives carried out by HYDRAA, alleging that they disproportionately targeted the poor and marginalised and were being carried out without regard for legal procedures.

“The demolitions carried out by the Congress government in Telangana under the garb of anti-encroachment drives are disproportionately targeted at the poor and the marginalised, and are executed illegally without any regard for the law of the land,” he said.

He alleged that several eviction drives had been undertaken despite court orders directing maintenance of status quo and without advance notice being given to affected residents.

Referring to opposition parties’ criticism of demolition drives in BJP-ruled states, Baby asked how the Congress could justify the actions of the Telangana government.

“When the secular democratic parties in the INDIA bloc are raising opposition to the bulldozer politics unleashed on hapless people by Yogi Adityanath and his ilk, how can the Congress rationally explain the words and actions of Revanth Reddy and his government? You owe an explanation to the people of India,” he said.

Reddy’s remarks had sparked a controversy, with critics pointing out that he appeared to have confused historical references with the fictional HYDRA organisation featured in Marvel comics and films.

The controversy has also brought renewed attention to HYDRAA’s anti-encroachment drives in and around Hyderabad. The Telangana government has defended the agency’s actions as necessary to remove encroachments on lakes, water bodies and government land.