Hyderabad: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy criticised Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over his remarks contrasting Lord Shiva and Lord Ram. Kishan Reddy accused the chief minister of creating divisions among people through religious references.
Speaking to the media in Delhi on Thursday, Kishan Reddy said Revanth Reddy had brought Hindu deities into political discourse. He alleged that the chief minister’s comments could create differences within Hindu society.
Revanth Reddy had described Lord Shiva as the deity of poor people and Lord Ram as the deity of rich people during remarks aimed at the BJP. The comments triggered criticism from BJP leaders.
Kishan Reddy said the chief minister should focus on the promises made to voters during the previous election. Instead, he alleged, the government was raising new issues.
The Union minister also accused the Congress of following a political approach that divides people. He said Revanth Reddy’s comments about Lord Ram and Lord Shiva could create differences among Hindus.
Kishan Reddy remarks question Revanth Reddy’s comments on Hindu deities
Kishan Reddy asked why the chief minister was speaking about Hindu deities and challenged him to make similar remarks about deities associated with other religions.
He also alleged that Revanth Reddy was using religious issues instead of addressing the promises made before the election. The Union minister said the chief minister should answer questions about the government’s commitments.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders defended Revanth Reddy’s remarks. Telangana Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud said the chief minister was criticising the BJP’s political use of Lord Ram and maintained that both Lord Ram and Lord Shiva were revered by Hindus.
The remarks have triggered a political exchange between the Congress and BJP in Telangana. BJP leaders have criticised Revanth Reddy’s comments, while Congress leaders have sought to explain the context of his remarks.
Kishan Reddy said he opposed what he described as attempts to bring religious differences into political debate. The political controversy over the Ram-Shiva remarks continued on Thursday.