BJP protests CM Revanth’s ‘Anti-Hindu’ remarks

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s recent remarks, perceived by some as disrespectful to Hindu sentiments, sparked protests from BJP’s women and youth wings on Wednesday in Hyderabad. Party workers gathered at the Telangana BJP state office in Nampally to express their outrage.

Shilpa Reddy, state president of the BJP Women’s Wing, described the Chief Minister’s comments as offensive and demanded an immediate apology. Protesters staged a sit-in on the road, and police intervened to disperse them. Additional police forces were deployed as a precaution amid rising tensions.

BJP state president Ramchander Rao had earlier called for statewide protests, including symbolic burning of effigies, on December 3. Union ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar also condemned the Chief Minister’s remarks.

The controversy stems from comments made by CM Revanth Reddy during a Congress executive meeting on Tuesday. He highlighted the diversity of Hindu worship, noting that with over three crore (30 million) deities in Hinduism, devotees worship as per their personal beliefs. He gave examples, saying some worship Hanuman if unmarried, others worship different deities after marriage, and offerings vary from local rituals to simple meals like lentils and rice.

Revanth emphasized that Congress includes people of all kinds and that unanimity is impossible in matters of faith, just as political parties cannot expect complete agreement when appointing district Congress committee (DCC) leaders. His remarks were seen as a response to recent reports of dissatisfaction within the party over new DCC president appointments in various districts.