Watch: Revanth Reddy’s remarks on Hindu deities trigger sharp backlash
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s remarks questioning the number of Hindu deities and associated rituals have sparked widespread criticism from political opponents and sections of the public. His comments were condemned by BJP leaders and described as inappropriate for a Chief Minister.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s comments questioning the number of Hindu deities and the prayers and rituals followed for them by devotees drew severe backlash from different sections on Monday.
Addressing party leaders at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said there were three crore Hindu gods and goddesses.
“For the unmarried, there is Hanuman, for those who married twice, there is another god and for those consuming alcohol, there is one god. Yellamma, Pochamma, Maisamma and those like toddy and sacrificing hen also, there are gods and even for those eating rice and dal, there are gods,” Revanth Reddy said, adding that on the same lines, there were all kinds of people in the Congress party. People with different attitudes and approaches were part of the party, which takes along all the people.
“There is no unanimity over God. One person prays to Venkateswara Swamy, another prays to Anjaneya Swamy and then there are people who take up Aiyyappa deeksha and others observe Shiva deeksha. When we don’t have unanimity over Gods, I don’t think there will be consensus between political leaders, but there has to be good opinion,” Revanth Reddy said.
Asking the newly appointed DCC presidents to set aside personal differences, the Chief Minister wanted them to change their approach and strive for the party’s cause.
“Before becoming the Chief Minister, I too was very angry over a few people. I wanted to thrash them but after getting an opportunity to do so, I decided not to waste my energy and time,” he said.
Reactions from the public and political leaders were swift, with many describing his remarks as uncalled for from a Chief Minister.
T Satyanarayana, an X user, said, “It is time for the Chief Minister’s end…”
BJP State chief N Ramchander Rao also condemned the comments. “Congress mocks, abuses, insults Hindus day in and day out and when election results come, they blame EVMs. CM Revanth Reddy’s comments today reflect the same. Congress has a history of insulting Hinduism from inventing the myth of Hindu terror to mocking our gods,” he said on X.
“Rahul Gandhi even claimed Hindu groups were a bigger threat than Islamic terrorists. Revanth Reddy is only continuing that legacy. He shows all traits of MMC, Muslim League Maoist Congress, as PM Modi rightly said,” he added.
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